How long would you try a book before you give up?

[Unicorn1981]

I'm currently reading a book which has rave reviews and is meant to be brilliant. I'm on about page 120 of over 600 and I'm struggling. There'll be what seems to be a good bit then it goes weird and I can't follow it. Then there's boring bits I just want to skim through. Life's too short to struggle through but how long would you give it? The book is called Skippy Dies.

I always recommend people who are put off by LOTR to skip The Party chapter and start from there, assuming some Hobbits who know some other hobbits are on a mission and that's that.

No one has time for that shit.

One chapter. I can tell by the way it's written within pages if I am going to be able to tolerate it. I say tolerate because there are some writing styles or when there's ridiculously excessive description and/or detail that I can't manage for more than a page or two no matter how good the plot -

Me too. Elena Ferrente's My Brilliant Friend has just been dumped on that basis.

On The Goldfinch I did persevere the whole way and still thought it was tripe.

I finished it! It was quite good in the end but I'm glad to have finished it.

I have this theory that it is up to the author to seek to engage the reader. Therefore, I would expect decent writing set out to interest without causing undue toil and labour. By this I mean it should be accessible and not a complete mystery to the person who is reading it. If the writing is sloppy I will cheerfully throw it to one side as the annoyance gets between me and the content. Generally, a few chapters in and if this is the case that is that.
There are too many wonderful books waiting to be read.

Ps. Read Goldfinch and enjoyed it but thought a good editor could have improved it as it was unnecessarily long and drawn out.

I can usually tell within a chapter if I'll like a book or not but i sometimes persevere to about 100 pages. Absolutely tore through The Goldfinch in a couple of days though - loved it, Donna Tartt's writing is stunning.

I used to read books until the end no matter what. Now, the plot is less important, but the style of writing has become essential. I read a page or two. It has to feel like natural, effortless poety. If it flows like a pile of rocks, I'm out.