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

I shall add my vote for Captain Corelli's Mandolin and White Teeth. I never put books down and don't finish them - except in these two cases. Hated them. I liked the Time Traveller's wife and The Book Thief though!

Possession has come up a couple of times, though probably not as often as it deserves. Give me Margaret Drabble over her pretentious sister any time. Pity Drabble's books have dated as they are actually very good.

I quite liked Remains of the Day, though Never Let Me Go is better.

i loved My Name is red.

Me too. I also like anything by your namesake.

Couldn't finish the time travellers wife as so terrible. Thought about seeing the film, but still don't know the end.

What about To Kill A Mockingbird?

I have tried 4 times but cannot get through it.

I enjoyed Possession - one chapter is hardly fair assessment.

But I didn't enjoy her Virgin in the Garden quartet (actually I've only just realised it wasn't a trilogy because I gave up at Babel Tower ... ewwwww)

Agree with Time Travellers Wife being overrated.

Solar by Ian McEwan - ugh - I can't believe I wasted my time wading through that!

I have just started Freedom by Jonathan Franzen...hmmm...not looking good so far..

I'm halfway through his previous one- I liked the first 200 pages but am slowly losing patience and interest.
Is it meant to be clever to write a book where absolutely every single character is awful?

I really enjoyed most of these books! Although never heard of 'If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things'.

I think 'The God of Small Things' was very overated.

I LOVED To Kill a Mocking Bird. I read it first when I was 14, for my O level. I stayed up all night reading it, and finished it in one go!

I sort of liked the Time Traveller's Wife, but wouldn't want to read it again. Not knowing what would happen next is what kept me going!

the god of small things, buddha of suburbia, white teeth ..

all readable, but just not all that amazing. Somehow they all merge into the same book in my mind.

I don't think e.g. Shophaholic or Dan Brown count as overrated, as who thinks these things are literature anyway?

Doig I agree. Utter garbage. Haven't read any of the others mentioned so far though.

(skulks off to hide in the not very well read corner)

i loved Time Travellers wiFE AND AM SUPRISED HOW MANY DON'T RATE IT - I THOUGHT IT WAS BRILLLIANT

Ah, maninthemooncup has mentioned something I've read. Hooray!! I loved The Catcher in the Rye.

No not To Kill a Mockingbird

and not JANE AUSTEN

don't make me come over there.

Yes, The Other Hand. I read that on holiday when I had nothing else. Arrgh what shite.

Has no one mentioned "Netherland" by Joseph O'Neill?

I would seriously rather eat my own eyeballs than attempt to read it again.
Boring, dreary twaddle!!

Now while we're all here ( and someone's presumably going to tell me in a minute that IABVU not to do the clitoris dick thingie myself) can someone please explain the video phone in Cold Comfort Farm to me and I will be grateful forever?

And a moment's silence for Angela Carter and especially for Wise Children....

Unruly - I was going to ask WTF you were talking about but just remembered the video phone. I re-read that recently and realised there are a few sci-fi-y elements to that book. Everyone flies around for a start. Surely people didn't do that much in the 1930s? From London to Sussex for instance? And the video-phone - weird!

Is there a special reason why we're doing silence for Angela Carter? I love her, esp NATC and Wise Children.

Unruly - Even though Cold Comfort Farm sounds like Wuthering Heights, it also parodies literature of the 1920s &1930s, including the fashion for "elemental" Lawrence-style stories of authentic peasant life and also sci-fi. It is set slightly in the future(from the time of writing) and the author imagines new technologies like a video phone & also people using planes for routine transport.

White Teeth is seriously overrated. Ye gods it is dull. Couldnt finish it.

oxfordlass I do hope Freedom hots up, I loved the Corrections. Was off out to buy Freedom, shall hold off