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Original poster

Books that lived up to the hype

71 replies

petronella23 · 20/04/2024 19:36

Inspired by another thread about books that didn't live up to the hype, what about ones that did?

Any books that were really hyped or popular that you thought totally deserved it?

Mine are Gone Girl and Secret History.

OP posts:
friendschild · 21/04/2024 16:38

A man called Ove by Fredrik Backman

A truly wonderful book. Charming and funny. I was really sad when I finished it and often think about the story. Would 100% recommend.

ABirdsEyeView · 21/04/2024 15:14

The Justin Cronin Passage trilogy - the most depressing g things I've ever read but so good!

EggChair · 21/04/2024 14:01

But exactly the same titles just appeared on the current thread about ‘disappointing or overhyped’ books, and they’re largely the exact same types of novels aimed at people who don’t read a lot or with much discrimination. Can I ask again, who is ‘hyping’ them? Where is it you are seeing all this hype? Who or what is exciting expectations that then weren’t fulfilled?

Xmasbaby11 · 21/04/2024 12:37

Oh yes

tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow

Really original and interesting! Just bought that for. Friend!

Xmasbaby11 · 21/04/2024 12:37

I agree about Gone Girl and Secret History.

also off the top of my head

Demon Copperhead
a Little Life
American dirt

WhiteLeopard · 21/04/2024 12:34

Demon Copperhead. I know it also appeared on the other thread, but I absolutely loved it.

Similarly Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.

SilverBranchGoldenPears · 21/04/2024 12:34

Hahahaha funnily enough I thought Gone Girl was utter tosh, unsuitable for anything other than a really bad train ride where nothing else is available.

I agree on a Gentleman in Moscow.
The latest Cormac McCarthys. Wonderful.

SammyScrounge · 21/04/2024 12:33

A Place of Greater Safety. Hilaru Mantel

I had never read anything of hers.before but this book was on display everywhere and I liked the cover so I bought it. I was reading until 4 am, couldn't put it down.
I still think it's her best.

raspberryberet7 · 21/04/2024 12:31

I am not sure if they were hyped but I was recommended two on here that I just loved
Strange sally diamond
And
Evelyn Hugo

cloudjumper · 21/04/2024 12:27

The Time Traveler's Wife
Where the Crawdads sing
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow
Lessons in Chemistry

coastalhawk · 21/04/2024 12:23

curiositykilledthiscat · 20/04/2024 20:24

I agree with you on The Secret History and Gone Girl.

I’d add The Goldfinch and The Paying Guests.

I was going to say The Goldfinch! All Chimamanda Ngozi's books too.

Allthatwegotisthispalebluedot · 21/04/2024 12:03

Gone girl - yes! It is absolutely great. Easy to read and absolutely compelling. Really enjoyable.

I know it received a pasting on the ‘overhyped’ thread but I thought Demon Copperhead lived up to the hype too. I loved it.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 20/04/2024 20:29

Did

American Dirt

Dreadful

The much hyped Where The Crawdads sing

Arrestedmanevolence · 20/04/2024 20:24

The running grave.

curiositykilledthiscat · 20/04/2024 20:24

I agree with you on The Secret History and Gone Girl.

I’d add The Goldfinch and The Paying Guests.

TotoAnnihiliation · 20/04/2024 20:23

ArcticBells · 20/04/2024 20:03

What didn't live up to all the hype on here was Fingersmith.

I totally agree with this. It dragged on too much.

cassiatwenty · 20/04/2024 20:22

Unsure if this is 'hype' per se, but I heard a lot of good things about Murakami's The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle but I didn't think it was going to be good. When I finally started to read it, it was better than I expected.

Gulbekian · 20/04/2024 20:21

A Gentleman in Moscow

GreenSmithing · 20/04/2024 20:12

I read Regeneration by Pat Barker recently, which I'd put off for years, well decades, because we'd read some harrowing ww1 stuff at school and I didn't think I would enjoy it. Actually, it was very good. Sombre in places, but very thoughtful.

ArcticBells · 20/04/2024 20:03

What didn't live up to all the hype on here was Fingersmith.

Hartley99 · 20/04/2024 19:55

I hardly ever read contemporary fiction. I'm working my way through the classics instead, with Harold Bloom as my guide.

Many of them have disappointed, but Pride and Prejudice, Sons and Lovers, David Copperfield, and Wuthering Heights were all I hoped they'd be.