From Booking Through Thursday, suggested by Janet:
What’s the worst ‘best’ book you’ve ever read — the one everyone says is so great, but you can’t figure out why?
Well, if we're talking about classics, two jump right to mind: The Great Gatsby- I couldn't stand that one. And Madame Bovary, it just felt so tedious and the characters unlikeable. But I didn't finish either one of those, so I don't know if they really count.
Of the more popular titles, I really didn't like My Sister's Keeper (or anything Picoult) but that's no news here. I didn't care much for Cat's Eye, though I can see why others loved it. And although I recognize that Truman Capote is a great author, I fail to appreciate his stuff. Most recently, I was pretty disappointed in Chalice, and a lot of other blogs rave about that one, too.
Wow, I didn't expect to think of so many. I guess just like it's hard to think of the one all-time favorite book, it's hard to pick out the worst one, too!
I agree with you on 'Madame Bovary.' Totally.
ReplyDeleteI thought of another that I couldn't finish: 'The Book Thief.' It wasn't that I thought it was bad; I just couldn't get into it. It was a surprise to me, after reading so many raves.
You're right, it's hard to pick one best OR worst.
I liked My Sister's Keeper, but that was the first Picoult I read. Now, they seem like almost the same book over and over.
ReplyDeleteThe only Picoult book I liked was My Sister's Keeper. They do all start to feel like the same book after a bit.
ReplyDeletehttp://barneysbookblog.blogspot.com
Aw, I love The Great Gatsby! It's one of the only "classic" works of American literature that I actually enjoyed, and can see why it's been canonized :) But it's all good! I have yet to read anything by Picoult, but folks seem to either love her or hate her... not sure where I would stand with that!
ReplyDeleteHaven't read any of those books, and dunno if I really want to now.Hm, but Chalice do look interesting
ReplyDeleteFinally, someone else who didn't like The Great Gatsby. I mean, I liked the writing style but hated the characters and the story line.
ReplyDeleteI liked The Great Gatsby, but was bored most of the way through Madame Bovary.
ReplyDeleteI've read Gatsby a few times and like it more with each reading. Madame Bovary is on the shelf - not sure when I'll get around to that. Haven't read any Picoult - and probably won't.
ReplyDeleteI've never read any of these, and it will probably stay that way.
ReplyDeleteGreat Gatsby is one of my favorites--I like books with sense of unfulfilled longing. But I hated Madame Bovary, and didn't ever finish it.
ReplyDeleteYou're right! It is hard to pick out the worst as well!
ReplyDeleteSo totally agree on Madame Bovary. What a snore fest!
ReplyDeleteMy BTT is here
Haven't finished Gatsby? If I didn't read it in a classroom setting (for two different classes), I'm not sure what I would have thought of it. I disliked Fitzgerald's This Side of Paradise but really liked Tender is the Night. Gatsby fits right in the middle. (One of the classes was a Fitzgerald/Hemingway class)
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with Picoult. I've never understood the hype about her.
ReplyDeleteAnd I thought I wasw the only one who hated Gatsby. I have meant to read some of Fitzgerald's other works but haven't managed it yet. I have avoided Picoult on purpose. I don't think I would like her and there are way too many books out there that I would rather spend time with.
ReplyDeleteI could gripe about Picoult all day!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree about Gatsby. Hated it. I did like Bovary the first time I read it, but haven't been able to get through it a second time. I've only ever read In Cold Blood by Capote. It was well written, but I had to force myself to finish it because of the subject matter.
ReplyDeleteI half expected you to be 'mob lynched' for suggesting 'Madame Bovary.' Glad to you weren't though :o)
ReplyDeleteI've still to read it myself, so I can't comment specifically, but I just got the impression it was one of these rare sacrosanct titles that everyone loved.Hehehe..but obviously not :)
Warmest
Rob
well, you certainly hit a nerve with this one, Jeane, so many people don't like Jodi Picoult, nor madame Bovary nor The Great Gatsby. I have to say I agree with all of them! I thought Great Gatsby was over-rated, I haven't read Madame Bovary, nor Jodi - I picked up My Sister's Keeper in the store, and it is interesting, but the idea of sueing for emancipation - blah blah - I'm sorry, it's not realistic.
ReplyDeleteNo one ever mentions my favourite to hate book: Catcher in the Rye. I've never read past the first two pages, I was in high school and something on the opening so annoyed me I refused to do it and read another.
I love this post you did! I might have to do one soon too....I like your answers too, I think it's ok when we don't like a book. At least we try it and give it a chance.
I dislike Picoult immensely too, Jeane. She just doesn't write well--you and I write better than she does.
ReplyDeleteAnother one I can't stand is James Patterson. His novels appear to be written on a 6th grade level.
I agree with you about Bovary, but not Gatsby. There's a lot more to Gatsby than meets the eye...
Great post!
Janet- I'm hoping I'll like the Book Thief. It's still on my list to read!
ReplyDeleteMelissa- The first one I read was The Plain Truth. Sister's Keeper was the second one. And there is such a similar feel to them all.
Jess- ditto.
Writemeg- what does that mean, it's been canonized?
Blodeuedd- Chalice is very interesting. Give it a shot. You might like it better than I did!
Jacketsandcovers- I'm glad I'm not alone!
JoAnn- Yeah. It was very boring.
Mary- Well, maybe someday I'll try Gatsby again. It's possible I just wasn't at a point in my life able to appreciate it.
Carolsnotebook- I can only approve of that decision.
Shelley- Honestly, I didn't get far enough into Gatsby to get that sense. But I quit early on Bovary, as you did.
Kris- I think I could have easily come up with half a dozen more...
ReplyDeleteKaye- Glad we agree on that one!
Trish- I might have liked it better had I read it for a class. I know there's certainly other books I would never have made it through, much less enjoyed, if it hadn't been for the classroom structure- like Hundred Years of Solitude, or anything Shakespeare.
Holly- Yup. Me either.
Petunia- I kept thinking the next Picoult book would be different, or better. I'm glad the forumla works for her and some readers, but it just doesn't for me.
Bybee- Me too. But aside from my posts about her books, I won't waste time on that.
Black Sheep- I was inspired to try reading In Cold Blood from watching the film about it. But I just couldn't stomach the book.
Robert Burdock- Ha, ha! I was really afraid I'd get more protests about that one. It's kind of a relief to know I'm not alone in my opinions on it.
Susan- Actually, I really like Catcher in the Rye. It was one of my favorites, as a teen! I don't know how I'd feel about it if I read it now.
Chartroose- I'm flattered to know you think I write better than a Published Author! Never read any Patterson. Hm, I'm beginning to think I should take another stab at Gatsby...
I'm not a huge "Gatsby" fan either. I haven't found many others who dislike it, though. It could be just because I didn't study it or anything, but something about the book just felt really off to me.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous Child- Yes, most others seem to like it better. It just did not sit well with me, though.
ReplyDelete