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

Okay so yes The Memory Keeper's Daughter, Da Vinci Code, Dragon tattoo novels etc etc are incredibly banal ....

But I almost CRIED when I saw that The Slap had been long listed for the Booker. I just ... how?? I mean, how??????? It is THE most contrived piece of crap I have ever, ever read. At one point I couldn't tell the male characters apart. The female characters are completely fake and hideous. Don't get me started on the sex scenes. Did the judges not NOTICE??

I'm so glad other people have struggled with Midnight's Children. I thought it was because I was fick.

I'm afraid it is.

It had better be a big bench

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

Atonement, IMO so over-rated. couldnt beleive they turned it into a movie.

midnight children first half was a struggle second half was really good.

kevin, first third was really confusing, i think its because she was talking about things in the future that hadnt happened in the present yet (e.g her company), iyswim. but after that i loved it.

Loving this thread and thought a companion thread of underrated books might be interesting too.

underrated books

H, but I'm not real. I am a construct and defender of Rushdie and Other Misunderstood and Underappreciated Folk

i know i made lots of spelling mistakes -sorry!

I'll try. (Easily seduced)

Hully, had I but world enough and time to try Midnight's Children again ...

On t'other hand, I liked Birdsong.

Desiderata, nope, haven't heard of that one, but hated The Rainbow.

And whoever said Cold Comfort Farm satirises Wuthering Heights - never thought of that! Thought it was much more aimed at Lawrence/Mary Webb.

I did try H, don't seem to have worked, like

It has worked now.

Hully, it worked. And is extremely informative.

Took me HOURS

What are you doing still here? Go and read MC AT ONCE. You'll thank me in the end

The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, what was that all about? Dullsville.

Anyone who didn't like Wolf Hall probably likes Phillippa sodding Gregory. And that TV soap with JR Meyers as Henry. Philistines all!

Really? Midnight's Children? I know, I know, everyone (almost) says it's brilliant but I have tried three times and I just get so fucking bored.

Behind the Scenes at the Museum, on the other hand, is utterly brilliant and shame on anyone who says different .

Oh yes, and I loved Wolf Hall.

MC - seriously there's a man whose body is falling apart and has a slurpy nose and a girlfriend who he calls dungball IIRC and constantly slags off, and he recalls his childhood in tiresome detail and then partition and wotnot. All fine were it not for the fact that the narrator is THE MOST IRRITATING CHARACTER OF ALL TIME. Loved the bits before he was born.

Have a feeling that Rushdie and McEwan are both total prickmonkeys also.

(Elephants, get yourself over to AIBU books. You are being incredibly slow, I am doing one of my favourite books ever.)

Behind the Scenes is glorious, rich, funny and heart-wrenching. And beautifully written.