to think this is the most over-rated book ever

[SlightlyJaded]

'If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things'

I love books. From big dramatic plotlines and epic storylines to subtle and beautfifully written prose with well drawn characters. I like quirky books, classic books, modern literature, poetry - anything well written or engaging.

I almost never have to 'force' myself to finish a book but always do finish a book if I've started (why do we do that? ) but thought 'If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things' was the dullest most over-rated dross I've ever read.

Or did I miss something?

And yes, this should be in books, but I prefer AIBU

Dh wishes to add The Shack - everybody at our church has read this and raved about it - he couldn't abide it!

Perfumedlife - The Idiot - yes, you're an idiot, let's just leave it there shall we?

Dice Man and Women's Room - what is it about 70's US novels that they all seem to have loads of random rape in them? Enough already!

I recently read a book which was about someone in Oxford making himself some cast iron wings or something and flying off with them. I very much regretted that I would never get those hours back and I will read pretty much anything

To Kill A Mockingbird UNSATISFYING? Really?!?

Perfumed life - that was supposed to indicate I agreed with you about Dostoevsky, not that I thought you were an idiot
NTS - must... preview... posts...

Agree with so many listed here.

Would have to add The Road. Totally overrated, misogynistic, derivative twaddle.

LittleCheesy, just read So Much For That and loathed it. Only finished it because it was for book club. Lionel Shriver writes as though she has observed people having relationships and being human, and managed to replicate that without showing any real understanding of what it is to be human. There's something hollow at the heart of every book of her's that I've slogged through.

Omg, love love love McEwan and Shriver. Have just started The Slap...hmm.

Another vote here for Captain Cor-f***'-relli.

LoremIpsum - I think that's a really interesting comment which I'd agree with re: Kevin, but not So Much For That. I like disagreeing with peoples' book likes/dislikes though; keeps me on my toes.

Lovely Bones. Utter kack.

Well Mumsnetters, the results so far are in (I am on sick leave and bored). The results are slightly skewed by prolific authors having lots of books for dislike to be spread over IYSWIM. Ian McEwan was by far and away the most hated author, but people disliked so many different books that he faied to make the top ten.

In joint 10th place, with 4 votes each are Wolf Hall, Disgrace, 1000 Splendid Suns and Midnight's Children (interestingly no one voted for the Satanic Verses - perhaps no one has read it?).

Despite being in the thread title, Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things only garnered 6 votes, equal to We Need to Talk about Kevin (though Kevin had as many defenders as detractors).

Then we have Captain Corelli's Mandolin with 7

The Da Vinci Code and The Alchemist both had 9

Despite a strong showing, White Teeth could only manage 3rd place with 14

And our joint winners in a strong field with 15 are The Time Traveller's Wife and - I'm delighted to say - Wuthering Heights.

Cathy luv, get a grip.

Don't know if it's been mentioned but The Labrynth by Kate Mosse was terrible.

Sterling work jybay
Controversial results too!

Sterling work jybay
Controversial results too!

Thanks, jybay. That's brilliant!

For the purposes of 'tidiness', I will willingly transfer my McEwan vote to which ever book in his oeuvre is likely to make the top 10.

Even if I haven't read it

Thanks jybay!!

Satanic Verses totally unreadable. But perhaps not over-rated as not sure I've ever seen anyone claim otherwise.

Satanic Verses fucking fantstic. What is WRONG with everyone?

Anyone that has disagreed with anything I think since my last post, and I'm damned if i can be arsed to read em, consider yourelf slapped.

fanstic - what a great word

Anyone want to diss The Cider House Rules? eh? eh?

Anything by Annie Proulx. The Shipping News, particularly.

100 Years of Solitude. Has anyone made it to the end of that?

Oh, and easily, Proust's In Search of Lost Time.

hully could you PLEASE create a profile so i can click 'threads hully's on' and make writing the round up a lot easier?

I'm so sorry, am feeling a little combative after a pta meeting. But you can't say anything about 100 years unless lavish praise, ditto Shipping (I grant Accordian News bordered on teh unspeakanly tedious).

Wot you mean H?

I loved Love in the Time of Cholera if it's any consolation.

Dear Zoo is more my speed these days.

Scant, frankly.

100 years of solitude was excellent.

really very good.