I was lent several Terry Pratchet (however it's spelt) books by someone at work and I just couldn't get into them.
I thought they were smug and stupid.
As if the author was saying, "Look at me, aren't I wacky. It's hilarious isn't it?"
I gave up in the end and gave them back.
Yes, I've never been able to get into the Discworld books either, the attempts at humour always feel forced and, well... unfunny! Massively overrated as far as I'm concerned. I seem to remember enjoying the Truckers series when I was a kid though.
Bill Bryson's Notes From a Small Island. Patronising, superficial, unwitty and mind-numbingly boring. On the strength of this (I would never touch any more of his output), I cannot believe the high regard in which he is held.
I was very disappointed with The Time Traveller's Wife.
Ditto. Had to force myself to finish it.
Bought thhe first few books of the True Blood series after watching the TV show. B-O-R-I-N-G. There is no life (Ha Ha!) in the characters. Can't relate to them. Don't care about them. The producers/writers did an amazing job to produce watchable TV from these books. After reading the first book I left the others unread and actually lost interest in the TV show. How bad is that? LOL!
I just finished 'My Sister's Keeper' last night. If it hadn't have been my sister's book, I would have thrown it in the bin straight afterwards. I've never been more disgusted with an ending. I can't decide whether it's cliched, a cop-out, lazy or just purely bad writing.
Also disappointed with 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' but that had more potential. 'Da Vinci Code' is another example of a poorly written book, but I can't really consider myself disappointed as I wasn't expecting much in the first place.
'Love in the Time of Cholera' is one I had to read for Uni, and I detested it. Can't understand why it is revered so much.
Lots...
The Kite Runner I found too sickly-sweet..all it needed was a bow on top.
The Lovely Bones - not lovely and not particularly boney either.
Line of Beauty how it won the booker over Colud Atlas I will never understand.
That thing about Ukrainian Tractors - read like an old episode of Crossroads.
Brick Lane - and?
All of Satre - snap out of it and pull yourself together or else try some Herman Hess,
The Sound and the Fury - Life's too short.
I just finished 'My Sister's Keeper' last night. If it hadn't have been my sister's book, I would have thrown it in the bin straight afterwards. I've never been more disgusted with an ending. I can't decide whether it's cliched, a cop-out, lazy or just purely bad writing.
Also disappointed with 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' but that had more potential. 'Da Vinci Code' is another example of a poorly written book, but I can't really consider myself disappointed as I wasn't expecting much in the first place.
'Love in the Time of Cholera' is one I had to read for Uni, and I detested it. Can't understand why it is revered so much.
I think its all 3. Cop out - definitely. Not sure what to do with the character so do the one thing that means you don't have to do anything worthwhile with the character. Cliched - absolutely for pretty much the same reasons as above. Bad writing - unusual for this author, but in this case, agreed!
As usual when a mainstream author writes a half decent science fiction novel, the mainstream world proclaims it as brilliant and new when it's been done better many times and way before in the science fiction genre.
Sadly there are many people who simply won't pick up a book marketed as science fiction and there are plenty of literary snobs who continue have a weird science fiction denial even as they read it. So these sort of novels tend to get way more credit than they deserve.
It wasn't awful, it was quite a good read. There are just better post-apocalyptic novels and I didn't think it brought anything new to the mix that hasn't been done before.
Bill Bryson's Notes From a Small Island. Patronising, superficial, unwitty and mind-numbingly boring. On the strength of this (I would never touch any more of his output), I cannot believe the high regard in which he is held.
WHAT!!! :mad:
Billy B is a literary god.
A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka was OK but massively overrated.
Bill Bryson's Notes From a Small Island. Patronising, superficial, unwitty and mind-numbingly boring. On the strength of this (I would never touch any more of his output), I cannot believe the high regard in which he is held.
I agree with the bit in bold. I read one of his books, and it was OK, but it got a bit samey after a while- just page after page of him in motels and restaurants and driving along. Occasionally he'd say something funny, but overall I couldn't help but feel that once you'd read one of his books, you'd read them all.
As usual when a mainstream author writes a half decent science fiction novel, the mainstream world proclaims it as brilliant and new when it's been done better many times and way before in the science fiction genre.
Sadly there are many people who simply won't pick up a book marketed as science fiction and there are plenty of literary snobs who continue have a weird science fiction denial even as they read it. So these sort of novels tend to get way more credit than they deserve.
It wasn't awful, it was quite a good read. There are just better post-apocalyptic novels and I didn't think it brought anything new to the mix that hasn't been done before.
I apologise from diverting from the topic somewhat, but post apocalyptic titles really interest me, could you recommend me some?
'the lost symbol' [dan brown] not a patch on the others!
I think The House at Riverton was probably my worst attempt at reading a book. I seem to remember only making it through about 15 pages before I gave up!
Comments
I'll second that - may have another go sometime, but I think many people conveniently overlook the grittier parts of the plot...
I didn't finish it, and I *never* leave a book unfinished unless it's really dire.
TTTW is one of those - I think I only managed about 50 pages before I just gave up.
I thought they were smug and stupid.
As if the author was saying, "Look at me, aren't I wacky. It's hilarious isn't it?"
I gave up in the end and gave them back.
I never hated Wuthering Heights but I used to get lost in the middle of it and give up.
Then I got an abridged audio book and loved it.
Yes, I've never been able to get into the Discworld books either, the attempts at humour always feel forced and, well... unfunny! Massively overrated as far as I'm concerned. I seem to remember enjoying the Truckers series when I was a kid though.
I loved The Life of Pi. Found it fascinating. Quite enjoyed Curious Incident...
Bought thhe first few books of the True Blood series after watching the TV show. B-O-R-I-N-G. There is no life (Ha Ha!) in the characters. Can't relate to them. Don't care about them. The producers/writers did an amazing job to produce watchable TV from these books. After reading the first book I left the others unread and actually lost interest in the TV show. How bad is that? LOL!
I just finished 'My Sister's Keeper' last night. If it hadn't have been my sister's book, I would have thrown it in the bin straight afterwards. I've never been more disgusted with an ending. I can't decide whether it's cliched, a cop-out, lazy or just purely bad writing.
Also disappointed with 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' but that had more potential. 'Da Vinci Code' is another example of a poorly written book, but I can't really consider myself disappointed as I wasn't expecting much in the first place.
'Love in the Time of Cholera' is one I had to read for Uni, and I detested it. Can't understand why it is revered so much.
The Kite Runner I found too sickly-sweet..all it needed was a bow on top.
The Lovely Bones - not lovely and not particularly boney either.
Line of Beauty how it won the booker over Colud Atlas I will never understand.
That thing about Ukrainian Tractors - read like an old episode of Crossroads.
Brick Lane - and?
All of Satre - snap out of it and pull yourself together or else try some Herman Hess,
The Sound and the Fury - Life's too short.
Me too on The Lovely Bones but I adored Duma Key! But I am a huge King fan, so it was likely I was going to like it.
Glad to see I am not the only one who finds Dan Brown not all he is cracked up to be!
I think its all 3. Cop out - definitely. Not sure what to do with the character so do the one thing that means you don't have to do anything worthwhile with the character. Cliched - absolutely for pretty much the same reasons as above. Bad writing - unusual for this author, but in this case, agreed!
I managed about 3/4 of it before literally throwing it across the room in sheer frustration. :mad:
As usual when a mainstream author writes a half decent science fiction novel, the mainstream world proclaims it as brilliant and new when it's been done better many times and way before in the science fiction genre.
Sadly there are many people who simply won't pick up a book marketed as science fiction and there are plenty of literary snobs who continue have a weird science fiction denial even as they read it. So these sort of novels tend to get way more credit than they deserve.
It wasn't awful, it was quite a good read. There are just better post-apocalyptic novels and I didn't think it brought anything new to the mix that hasn't been done before.
WHAT!!! :mad:
Billy B is a literary god.
A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka was OK but massively overrated.
I agree with the bit in bold. I read one of his books, and it was OK, but it got a bit samey after a while- just page after page of him in motels and restaurants and driving along. Occasionally he'd say something funny, but overall I couldn't help but feel that once you'd read one of his books, you'd read them all.
I apologise from diverting from the topic somewhat, but post apocalyptic titles really interest me, could you recommend me some?
same here!!
also
'the house at riverton' so boring [yawn!]
'the lost symbol' [dan brown] not a patch on the others!
I think The House at Riverton was probably my worst attempt at reading a book. I seem to remember only making it through about 15 pages before I gave up!
Sorry to jump in on a question that wasnt asked of me, but my favourite novel of that type is still "The Stand" by Stephen King.
The Road was ok, but I didnt think it was all it was hyped up to be.
I too will be interested to hear about other books of this type.