This week in Shelfari (the online book group, where lists of books and groups can be formed), I asked about disappointing books. I ask the same here in TWQ (The Weekend Question).
What books did you have really high hopes for, but turned out to be awful? List as many as you wish.
My answers are:
Two come to mind for me:
'The Time Traveller's Wife' by Audrey Niffenegger
'Blowfly' by Patricia Cornwall
I had heard so many good things about 'The Time Traveller's Wife' I wanted to read it. The plot sounded so interesting and unusual. however, right from the start, I couldn't warm to the characters. They were unlikeable, and didn't care what happened to them. I abandoned it about halfway through. It was a shame, as I had a signed limited edition book. I may be in a minority with this book, as I know so many love it.
I had read all of the Kay Scarpetta novels by Cornwell before Blowfly, so was expecting more good quality. However this was different. Everything had been changed from Fist to Third person, the plot was absurd and far-fetched, one of the characters (Lucy) was behaving in a ridiculous manner, another character was brought back from the dead after being killed off several books earlier. The ending was dreadful. I actually read all of it as I couldn't believe it was so bad. It goes down as the worst book I've ever read.
Now it's over to you...
27 comments:
I so agree about Blowfly. I'm a huge fan of Bill Bass and hoped Blowfly would reflect his work and it didn't.
If books don't hook me in the first few pages they are dumped, so I rarely am that disappointed.
Being a fan of detective/murder stories, there are some really lousy writers out there.
I can't single one out atm.
Michele sent me to say hi, Jean-Luc.
cq
One I can recall instantly. I could not read beyond 2 pages of Ulysses by James Joyce.
Michele sent me here to think it over.
I had a book about Yoga that though there was some interesting things I was marking places that was so BS
because it wasn't true (not in this day and age) and then saw it was a reprint of a 1920-1930 book
and so a lot of the writer's remarks just wasnt true anymore
michelle sent me to say hi
Unfortunately, it's mainly Dutch speaking writers: most work by Hugo clause - and they praise and award the guy. (?)
The End (Book 13) by Lemony Snicket
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
I have been a book worm all my life until recently. I'm not sure why - blogging may have something to do with it and I miss it greatly so maybe the books I haven't been able to finish have been my fault rather than the writer's.
'The Da Vinci Code' - one of the boys gave it to me but I couldn't get beyond the first chapter. I had great hopes of 'Attention all ' Shipping' but didn't get beyond page 35.
'Slowly down the Ganges' I regret to say and even Michael Palin's Diaries faded out more than half way too. Now I hang my head in shame. Michele says hello!
I buy so many books and rarely have time to read them. My problem is when I can get stuck into them, blogging takes up too much time instead.
I won't be going to the conference, btw, I was invited to join the group and at least I can follow what they are up to on facebook.
Have a nice weekend.
Michele sent me back this way, Jean-Luc :-)
Spurred on by my love of the series Bones, I tried reading Kathy Reichs.
I found her writing not as charm filled or attractive as the writing of the series based on her - so I won't be rushing out to buy her books.
cq
I'm so sorry to say this, but Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. I'll never forget how arduos a task it was for me to get through. I know its a "classic", but for me... not so much.
Hmmm I do not recall at this time :) any books I read that disappointed me
I just download books all at once
hmmm I think I bought a book one time thought it was in English and it was in German
Pattie Boyd - Wonderful Tonight or Today (depending where you live)
It was a SNOREFEST.
I partly a gree w/ jaime concerning Harry potter and the deathly hallows. I enjoyed it, but some parts were confusing.
The Simpsons Movie - The Novel, totally sucks. And the book I really thought would completely change my life but ended up leaving me with more questions than answers was The Bible.
Into the Forge by Dennis McKeirnan. It started off well, but then disolved into repetition and all the interesting stuff always happened to the secondary characters and this wasn't even "shown" in the book...huge disapointment.
I'm still struggling to think of a book that was this diappointing.
I guess I have managed to blank the bad ones out of my memory and can only recall all the wonderful books I have read in my lifetime.
Michele sent me here this morning, Jean-Luc - Happy Sunday!
cq
It seems some books are by established authors who rest on their laurels, thinking their names will sell the books.
Holly, I thought 'Frankenstein' was a good book. I suppose this was because it was how everything was meant to be.
CQ, are we talking about the same 'Blowfly'?. This was a novel by Patricia Cornwell.
I think my chemistry text books! I hated those!
Michele sent meover.
I think the name "Blowfly" should have been a dead giveaway. I know the goal was to get it to stand out. But geez, talk about a prediction of literary failure!
Michele agrees. She sent me to let you know she won't be reading it, thanks to your expert review.
I am trying to win a contest, if you come online today, please stop by my blog. Have a wonderful day my friend!
To be completely honest, I have been really bad about even finishing a book this summer which might say something about the book. All I can remember was that it was in the fantasy genre and I just couldn't get into it... but I am determined to give it one more try!
pretty much anything written by stephen king after the stand. something changed and i just quit liking any of it...
smiles, bee
Da Vinci code was the Ultimate Disappointment, I had such high hopes.
Other than that, I am STRUGGLING through Anna Karenina. It's the greatest novel ever written, according to anyone who knows anything about novels, but I can't get into it at all.
Lahdeedah, I likev Anna Karenina. There are some fine parts in that. I like the horse race sequence Vronsky competes in.
Dari, I'll be taking a look in.
Carmi, it looks like I've warned Michele!
Gosh, I actually LOVED Time Traveler's Wife. I don't know the other title. I am often disappointed by books and quit in the middle of them. I just don't have the patience. I recently cleaned out my library and came upon many books that I hated!
Great question. I can't think of a title, but I'll think about this!
I beg to differ re The Time Travellers Wife, I loved that book.
I hate to say it but The Lovely Bones didn't really do it for me, others raved about it. I thought it was ok. The only reason I am excited about the movie is because PJ is making it and another person I know is starring in it.
Most of Oprahs book club books are not as good as everyone makes out either it is too much hype.]
Michele sent me :)
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