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Original poster

I bet this has been done before, but what classics/modern classics have really left you baffled as to why they're so popular?

114 replies

Twinklemegan · 21/06/2008 22:56

Brave New World for me

Wuthering Heights to an extent, though I might need to try it again

I know there are others, but can't think at the moment.

OP posts:
Aitch · 21/06/2008 23:34

def catcher, def lovely bones, and mos' def Anything by Martin Amis.

Crunchie · 21/06/2008 23:34

why still waiting WHY!!!!!!!!!????????????????????????????????????????????????????

harpomarx · 21/06/2008 23:31
BreeVanDerCampLGJ · 21/06/2008 23:30

@ Custy

Tortington · 21/06/2008 23:28

OMG! love this thread.

i can't for the life of me figure out why Catcher in the Rye was at all popular.

i also think that the reason it is connected with assasinations - is that after the assasins read the book - they were so pissed off - they shot some one

stillwaiting · 21/06/2008 23:28

I love Owen Meany

ScottishMummy · 21/06/2008 23:27

awwwwwwwwwww so sorry what a gaff!typing watching Dr Who on replay and Wine

BreeVanDerCampLGJ · 21/06/2008 23:27

The Tenant of wildfell turgid Hall.

BreeVanDerCampLGJ · 21/06/2008 23:25

Captain Corellis banjo mandolin

Crunchie · 21/06/2008 23:25

Qwen Meaney, Atonement yawn yawn yawn

Dh made e read these Owen Meany I couldn;t even finish, Atonement just bored me syupid and fished without a result!!

harpomarx · 21/06/2008 23:25

that's ok scottishmummy.

ahem, it's marx - harpomanx is a mute tailless cat

bran · 21/06/2008 23:24

Agree with ScottishMummy about Ian McEwan. He has that self-conscious Dickensian thing going on, made worse for me because my DM thinks his stuff is great and keeps passing books on to me. On Chesil Beach has to be the dullest thing I've read in years.

bonio · 21/06/2008 23:23

Captain corelli's mandolin

JulesJules · 21/06/2008 23:23

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

ScottishMummy · 21/06/2008 23:22

oh thanks harpomanx love a recommendation

harpomarx · 21/06/2008 23:20

Have you read The Cement Garden, ScottishMummy? Totally agree with you about Atonement so was shocked when I picked this up and found myself gripped. I thought it was dark and beautiful.

stillwaiting · 21/06/2008 23:18

I love The God Of Small Things. Its one of my fave books ever. there is a book I like after all

wheresthehamster · 21/06/2008 23:17

Catch-22 is brilliant!

Once you've read it once you can dip into it again and again to re-read the funniest bits. I love it!

TotalChaos · 21/06/2008 23:17

Shadow of the Wind.

Original poster
Twinklemegan · 21/06/2008 23:17

Oh yes, I agree about George Eliot. I tried to read the Mill on the Floss again a while back. The first time around I found it OK, but the second time I couldn't bring myself to finish it.

OP posts:
cyteen · 21/06/2008 23:16

Anything by George Eliot. Just torturously shit.

Recently had a bash at The God Of Small Things and found it so irritating I had to throw the book aside. Several times.

stillwaiting · 21/06/2008 23:15

I'm with you there ScotishMummy. Am slightly shocked at how many books I hate.

ScottishMummy · 21/06/2008 23:12

any McEwan eg atonement, Saturday. turgid.dull

stillwaiting · 21/06/2008 23:10

The Alchemist. people rave about it but I can't see why. My reading group did it and everyone hated it.

harpomarx · 21/06/2008 23:09

will let you know if I do, Twinkle

I recently tried to get into Don DeLillo's Underworld and failed. Too dense.