Disappointing or overhyped books

[YaMuvva]

I have just finished reading I Who Have Never Known Men after 2 friends have harangued me into reading it for a while now.

What a total let down. I hate it when books build up a mystery with loads of clues as if you’re gonna have answers at the end, then…nothing! So frustrating. I’m so cross I wasted my energy and time on it.

I also hated Elenor Oliphant and kept wondering when the good part was gonna start. Nothing happened except that she got a makeover.

I didn’t get I who have never known men at all. It was just… nothing. So many raved about it but it was at most 3 stars for me.
I did quite like Elinor Oliphant though. But not amazing.
In general the more hype, the less appealing to me. I’ve not often been wrong.

Elinor - pah gave up..

The Breakdown...painful. Actually only got a few chapters in as it was too much willful ignorance and "daft female" feels. No idea how it came up as suggested on Audible.

Yes lots and lots of nothing happened!

also why didn’t they just follow the rivers.

I can’t even be bothered to think of theories because it was all so ridiculous

In Memoriam by Alice Winn. This book was hyped to the nines and was set in a period I am interested in. It is a gay love story set in the Great War. I really wanted to love this book but I found it rather formulaic. Scenes of trench horror were interspersed with scenes of the development of the relationship between the two lovers and scenes from school days and home.
There is some very good writing in the book but the characters are not particularly appealing. It was a little disappointing.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz
Wolf Hall

Wolf Hall - tedious beyond words

The Miniaturist - sets up the mystery, and then it just fizzles out. Very disappointing.

I didn't finish Elinor Oliphant, hated it.

Life of Pi was awful. Remember Freedom by Jonathon Franzen? Unbelievably good reviews and it was shite.

Atlas Shrugged, omg don't get me started.

Gone With the Wind, same. Quite a few now I think about it!

Just finished Lessons in Chemistry. Felt didactic. Went into it thinking I was going to absolutely love this book about strong women. It felt like forced with weak character development. Total letdown.

Hated Life of Pi too

I've just started Lessons In Chemistry following a friend's raving about it. I'm only a few pages in but after reading that her lips were "unapologetically red" I'm already wondering how far I'll make it.😂

Convenience Store Woman. Loads of recommendations from friends. I can honestly say it was unputdownable, but not in a good way, more like how you feel having to endure Christmas dinner with annoying, boring family: it's just a few hours then it will all be over!

So pleased others feel the same way about Lessons in Chemistry. I couldn’t wait to finish it.

There was a recent thread about the most disappointing book you'd read recently and Lessons in Chemistry was the most mentioned. I've been reading it for over 6 months; am determined to get through it as I'm nearly finished but wow it's a letdown. There is nothing interesting, amusing or important about it.

Wow renthead, that's next level perseverance!

Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow was dreadful as was Peaces. Both raved about.

The Power! Dreadful YA nonsense

The Midnight Library. Matt Haig.

I thought it was dull, unoriginal and a bit childish.

Yes to Matt Haig!

Also:
A Little Life
The Slap
A Prayer for Owen Meany - the SHOUTY CAPITALS really annoyed me
Five People you Meet in Heaven - so twee

Still Me- Jojo Moyes. I enjoyed some of it but the character of Sam got right up my nose. I wouldn't have taken him back after those shenanigans! And why does everyone insist on calling her 'Louisa Clark' all the way through....irritated the heck out of me. Nobody talks like that!

Agree with any Matt Haig book.

Also agree with Life of Pi, it was so, so bad.

The trouble with sheep and goats was awful too.

More recently I've read Yellowface. It was ok, just ok. I have no idea what the hype was about?

Totally agree about Lessons in Chemistry! It felt predictable and annoying for me. Also didn't get on with Midnight Library - thought it was a load of twaddle.

However - I loved the Life of Pi - really enjoyed the book... then the film .... then the stage play!

Also was blown away by Gone with the Wind (see what I did there? ) Nope - I genuinely was surprised at how much I enjoyed that book, as it's not a topic or period of history I would be interested in normally, but it was a great book.

A Little Life.I actually laughed when yet another horrific thing happened-it was just relentless misery to the point of being ridiculous.
Conversations with Friends.
One Day.Disliked both the characters so much it was a relief when she died.

I know it’s not literature, but the first Richard Osman book. I can’t even be bothered to look up the name.

Agree with Lessons in Chemistry
Life of Pi - what a yawn that was
The midnight Library

@Lengokengo The Thursday Murder Club was OK, but the second book is much better.