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Popular book that you didn’t enjoy

459 replies

Wanttocry · 19/06/2021 16:33

Not really a TAAT but inspired by the Crawdads thread.

What’s a book that has been raved about, but that you didn’t really enjoy? For me it would have to be The Goldfinch, I just didn’t really get it.

OP posts:
Winniewonka · 23/06/2021 22:53

My Brilliant Friend - gave up when the two young girls were walking forever and only got as far as the tunnel. However, I watched the Italian series and thought it was wonderful.

Smallkeys · 23/06/2021 23:01

Midnight library sounded brilliant very boring

BIWI · 24/06/2021 09:53

@Fyredraca

Yeah, I have a love hate relationship with LOTR. I just want to yell "Get on with it!" at times.
Exactly! I first read it when I was about 14 - I think that's probably the ideal age for it.

When they were making the films, I decided to read it again. But oh my goodness. How turgid is it?! Just one bloody fight after another.

Maverick197 · 24/06/2021 14:23

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. So depressing and impossible to warm to the lead character.

Ellmau · 24/06/2021 19:10

Cold Mountain. I couldn't finish it.

TheMoth · 24/06/2021 22:17

I struggled with the Bell Jar, but then, I found her world so alien. I was never really moved by the poems. I'm more Team Hughes. I know this means I need to hand in my feminism badge, but I prefer Ted. And Birthday Letters made me cry.

LunaNorth · 25/06/2021 08:20

I prefer Ted, too. What a poet he was.

Cowbells · 25/06/2021 22:19

@LunaNorth - I can't forgive him, though, for leaving her with two tiny children in a run down house during the bitterest winter for a century when she was so unwell, so he could have an affair while she had to battle mental illness and mothering pre-schoolers. It's so cruel. I've never been able to enjoy his work since discovering this, even though he's a great poet. But selfish men are bound to be better artists.Less to contend with in life...

Spandrel · 26/06/2021 15:02

@TheMoth

I struggled with the Bell Jar, but then, I found her world so alien. I was never really moved by the poems. I'm more Team Hughes. I know this means I need to hand in my feminism badge, but I prefer Ted. And Birthday Letters made me cry.
But it’s not either/or, though. I think Plath was a genius, and that her novels would have continued to develop, too, but I do love some of Hughes’ poetry as well (though I’ve less patience with some of his more occult stuff…) Worth saying too, I think that part of the reason he was far more established than she was by the time of her death was her work ethic and organisation in getting both of their work typed and out to journals and in for prizes etc. He worked hard, but she was more committed to getting their work out there, and that took a lot more work when you had to type it up and post it.
upinaballoon · 26/06/2021 15:11

@Hoolihan

To Kill A Mockingbird is basically a perfect book imo. Even though it is so well known, it is still so incredibly powerful and moving and beautiful. I have read it maybe 10+ times and I love it as much as I did the first time I read it.
I knew a lovely woman who was long married and had grandchildren. She lent me her copy of TKAM. She said, "I've been in love with Atticus Finch for years."
TheMoth · 26/06/2021 18:40

Spandrel it is to my 6th formGrin I think I got hooked on Hughes when I read the Crow poems at uni. Thought Grief is the Thing with Feathers worked really well with the Crow references.

Tedisateddybear · 27/06/2021 09:58

For those who have said they hated Captain Corelli's Mandolin, could I ask how far into the book you got before giving up?

The reason I ask is because I read this book many years ago and I really struggled with the first few chapters. But then it suddenly changed into a fantastic read, I have no idea why but it's ended up being on my list of favourites. The ending of the book is excellent, far better than the film. In fact, forget the film altogether, especially any scene that has Nicholas Cage in it.

I'm not for one minute saying that anyone's opinion on the book is wrong, just thought I'd mention that in my mind the book definitely got better as it went along.

MintyCedric · 27/06/2021 10:15

@Tedisateddybear thats really interesting...I couldn't get past the first couple of chapters...felt like I needed a dictionary and reference book on mythology to understand wtf was going on.

Might have to give it another try.

BIWI · 27/06/2021 10:16

It's the style of the writing that stops me getting any further (although I can't remember how far I actually did get, each of the three times I tried!). It's not often the way something is written interferes with my ability to read a book, but this time it really did.

SionnachRua · 27/06/2021 10:39

Harry Potter. Awful, awful turgid muck and I wanted to help Voldemort find Harry and Avada Kedavra the fuck out of him so the whining would stop.

Hated it as a kid, as you can probably tell Grin

MissDollyMix · 27/06/2021 10:40

Agree with The Lovely Bones and Crawdads. Both depressing drivel.
Has anyone mentioned One Day yet? That must gets prize for the most over-rated book I’ve ever set eyes on. I actually, physically, threw it across the room when I was finished with it, I was so disappointed by the ending!

mrstea301 · 27/06/2021 10:54

Conversations with friends
The life of pi
One hundred years of solitude (magical realism is not for me)
My brilliant friend

StColumbofNavron · 27/06/2021 11:44

I actually gave up on Captain Corelli twice and left it on the shelf for a good few years. One year I picked it up and just loved it. I’ve read everything he has written and have met him. The language that lots don’t like I now really savour. I’m yet to meet anyone who just likes LdB. Either they love him or really don’t.

SionnachRua · 27/06/2021 11:59

Also, has anyone said the Book Thief? I hear that it's meant to be amazing. I have a copy here that I routinely pick up, struggle through a few chapters and then remember how much I hate it, so away it goes. Until a few months later when this fool tries again Grin

TheWindOnTheMoon · 27/06/2021 12:09

I hated The Book Thief. I read it last year, after putting it off for years. Awful book, can't see why it's so popular Confused

Also, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.

iwantalicencetocrenellate · 27/06/2021 12:43

@MilesOfSand there is indeed massive hype behind Richard Osman. I've just received a link via Netgalley from his publishers for the next novel in the series which is out in September. It's really gearing up for that already.

MilduraS · 27/06/2021 12:52

Most things that are recommended as if "a challenging read" is a good thing. I'd take a quick light hearted Marian Keyes novel over any of them.

Tedisateddybear · 27/06/2021 13:16

@MintyCedric, it's been a few years since I read it and I think it might be as much as the first 5 or 6 chapters that are difficult but I don't remember the exact number.

Trying not to do a spoiler but it's after the bit about the war on the mainland and it returns to the island, if that makes sense. From then on, it's a different book entirely.

Bonedry · 28/06/2021 09:51

@TheWindOnTheMoon

I hated The Book Thief. I read it last year, after putting it off for years. Awful book, can't see why it's so popular Confused

Also, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is an abomination.
NotSoLongGoodbye · 30/06/2021 10:41

The Secret History - Donna Tartt. Overly long, unoriginal plot, dreadful characters. Tries to be profound but it actually dull. Really, really, really don't understand why so many people think it is marvellous.

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