Which books did you initially struggle with...

34 replies

singsinthebath · 12/06/2010 00:37

.... but eventually came to love.

For me it was Captain Correlli and The Time Traveller's Wife - several false starts but once I got past a certain point I was hooked.

OP posts:

Wheelybug · 14/06/2010 18:16

I agree with most of these !

Captain Correlli - actually I don't think I ever came to love it but did get through it and it got better...

I did the Jewel in the Crown for A Level and hated it. Years later I decided to give it another go thinking it was because it was a study text but no, still didn't enjoy it

And Mill on the Floss - I Did read it all but hated every moment of it - its the book that puts me off classics.

I'm a bit stubborn in that I can't remember when I last gave up on a book even though I hated reading it. That said, I don't test myself too much these days but, to answer the OP properly (and not just list books I've hated) - it took me 3 weeks to read the first 200 ppages of Wolf Hall and 3 days to read the next 450.

funnysinthegarden · 14/06/2010 16:50

Lionel S really puts me off WNTTAK. I doubt I will ever read it.

Now Bleak House on the telly, thats a different kettle of fish.

Fennel · 14/06/2010 15:00

I still can't get past the first chapter of Bleak house, despite several attempts, and despite knowing that Dickens usually gets a lot better as you get into the story. I haven't given up, but it's been a few years now with no progress.

Easywriter · 14/06/2010 14:59

The Mill on the Floss
-a good but horrendously waffly tale. George Eliot(t - or however yer name is spelt) EDIT, EDIT, EDIT woman! For pity's sake.

steamedtreaclesponge · 14/06/2010 14:52

We Need to Talk About Kevin. Hated it until I got about 2/3 of the way through and then it suddenly got interesting.

On the other hand, have never managed to finish Anna Karenina; maybe one day...

Gibbon · 14/06/2010 09:04

Life of Pi

Goodness the first half was hard work.

JeffVadar · 14/06/2010 09:02

The Jewel in the Crown. I gave up after reading the first third of the book.

When I picked it up a few years later I carried on from where I had left off and absolutely loved it.

gaelicsheep · 12/06/2010 01:35

I totally agree about CC's Mandolin. Both the initial struggle and the eventual love. I like the film but it didn't do the book justice at all - two completely different beasts. I really must re-read it.

I have the TTW in my hospital bag (ha, like I'll get chance to even open it).

funnysinthegarden · 12/06/2010 00:48

oooh CC is great, I could not get into many Margaret Attwood (sp) novels, but love her as an author and loved Saving Grace....!

Am also looking at, from a distance, Anna Karenina..........one day when the kids are grown.........

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