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Original poster

What books were you 'supposed' to enjoy but thought were a pile of crap? And why?

237 replies

MrsMerryHenry · 03/05/2009 23:39

A Suitable Boy

Writing style far too poncey and utterly incapable of moving me.

OP posts:
muffle · 04/05/2009 16:15

I found On Chesil Beach just felt like I could constantly hear McEwan himself in the background going "aren't I clever, don't you just love this bit?" it seemed just showy - and yet also dull and unenlightening. But maybe that's partly because I've read his earlier stuff IYSWIM.

PenelopePitstops · 04/05/2009 16:11

muffle i really liked on chesil beach! admittesly haven't read any of his other stuff!

StayFrosty · 04/05/2009 16:10

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muffle · 04/05/2009 16:08

Catch 22 - have tried many times - cannot read it, I just loathe the main character too much.

I love some older McEwan but Saturday and On Chesil Beach were both - meh.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho - utter drivel. Life-changing my arse.

Ladies Detective Agency - I read it really fast, it was easy to read, then I thought eh? what? was that it? Total fluff. Vaguely enjoyable I suppose by why anyone would want to read the whole series I can't imagine...

BigBellasBeerBelly · 04/05/2009 16:02

Erm stayfrosty assume you're referencing some book or other not talking about me!

StayFrosty · 04/05/2009 15:59

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PenelopePitstops · 04/05/2009 15:58

bella i struggled through the first lord of the rings after loving the hobbit, it was awful!

BigBellasBeerBelly · 04/05/2009 15:54

Life of pi yes it was shit.

I like some of the ones on this thread though!

Ooh I know another - that dark materials trilogy - another recommendation at work. Dreadful.

smallchange · 04/05/2009 15:52

yy The Island. A potentially really good story, but I think she was a travel writer for women's mags. And you can tell.

Twilight wasn't my thing at all but I think it hinges on you being attracted to Edward Cullen . If not, there's nothing much to it except fairly bad writing.

PenelopePitstops · 04/05/2009 15:49

i refused to read twighlight after seeing the film, what a pile of shit!

smallchange · 04/05/2009 15:49

And then we came to the end - Joshua Ferris. The pb edition has rent-a-quotes all over it such as: funniest book ever; couldn't stop laughing etc etc.

Did anyone think this was a funny book? I'm utterly mystified. Woman loses a child, lots of people get sacked, someone has a nervous breakdown, someone else is treated for cancer. I know it's possible to write about sad things and still be funny. Didn't get it here though

MintyyAeroEgg · 04/05/2009 15:49

PERFUME by Patrick Suskind. It makes me cross just thinking about it.

jeminthecity · 04/05/2009 15:46

ThaNKS HEATHER- YES i REMEBER THAT ONE.

ONLY BOOKS i HAVN'T FINISHED WERE cATCH 22
and (sorry caps) Something Mountain that was made into a film.

I am a prolific reader mind, remember Birdsong- what was it that annoyed you IrratibleGrizzly?

I tend to think books weren't a pile of crap, rather it was ME that just didn't get them

Ian Mcthingy is an acquired taste, I grant you

elsiepiddock · 04/05/2009 15:45

Lovely Bones - really bad

And more recently - Twilight. I know this is a book for teens but my friend said I must read it - what a load of tripe! I cant wait for it to be over. If this is what teens are reading, Lord help us!

PenelopePitstops · 04/05/2009 15:44

the english patient aswell, i couldn't finish that!

PenelopePitstops · 04/05/2009 15:44

the life of pi or something was that bigbella? i hated that aswell

and all the da vinci code ones, utter shite

I also couldnt finish we need to talk about kevin

TrillianAstra · 04/05/2009 15:43

That Ladie's Detective Agency series.

Yep, me too. So boring. And short. I know I should be glad it was short so I wqsn't bored for longer, but maybe if it had been longer something might have happened!

dixia · 04/05/2009 15:42

Totally agree with a couple above -
Confederacy of Dunces, Midnights Children and Catch 22.

Who made them classics?

BigBellasBeerBelly · 04/05/2009 15:41

That ridiculous book about a boy who gets stranded in a boat with a tiger.

Utter tosh.

Friend at work lent it to me. Apparently it was the best thing she's ever read, really inspiring and I would love it

heather1980 · 04/05/2009 15:40

yes the girl was kidnapped and killed

deanychip · 04/05/2009 15:39

secret history Joanna Trollope, slow, densly unconvincing, failed to engage me, and had no grasping/pull you in/GOT to know what happens next aspect to it at all.

I chose my books very carefully so i am always acutely disapointed when i dont get along with a book. I aim to finish every book that i pick up, this took grit and determination!!
Robbed me of precious time that i could have been spending reading a good book.

jeminthecity · 04/05/2009 15:37

Was lovely bones the one where the girl was abused and killed?

heather1980 · 04/05/2009 15:36

lovely bones here too. it was rubbish. i think they are making it into a film which i wont be seeing

janeite · 04/05/2009 15:35

Stay Frosty - I so agree with you. Bloomin' hate Ian McEwan.

StayFrosty · 04/05/2009 15:35

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