What is your Least Favorite Book, and Why?
By rhettaa
@rhettaa (213)
United States
April 9, 2008 8:23am CST
I asked this question on another blog and the answers were fascinating. Much more interesting than what's your favorite book was. So, what book do you hate, and why?
Mine is Gerald's Game by Stephen King. I kept reading it because I thought knowing the ending would make me feel better, even though I hated it from page 1. But it did not make me feel better, and even years later, if I could go back and un-read it, I would. Stephen King made it hard for me to listen to Marvin Gaye for a while, and that was a crime in itself. Luckily, I got over that part.
How about you? What book, and why?
2 people like this
5 responses
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
9 Apr 08
I'm with you on this one. I started reading the first one and just found it totally silly. The character of beauty was so weak that I wanted to shake her. I didn't like the lack of control of the weak female character. It was really frustrating and a book for people obsessed with spanking I suppose.
It's a shame because her vampire books are excellent.
@Breath (1297)
• United States
30 Apr 08
I have not found a book I did not like...Each book adds soemthing to my life...Of course some books are better written then others..I mostly stay with Stephen king books...I read some of Dean Koontz,Ann Rice..Geralds game of course is where Stephen did slip even to me.I believe his last few books have brought him back...Have you read Duma Key a true master piece to me...(by stephen King)
@Angelwriter (1954)
• United States
9 Apr 08
Do I have to only pick one? Two immediately come to mind. The Catcher in the Rye, because Holden Caufield is one of, if not the most, despicable character in literature. Okay, as far as I can remember (have no desire to read the book again) he's not a murderer or anything like that, but just for plain old garden variety creep, he tops the list. I can't believe he's supposed to be some literary hero for some people.
My other least favorite book is White Oleander by Janet Fitch. Again, because the characters are horrible. You've got the monster of all mothers, who does actually kill. Then, her daughter, who you're supposed to sympathize with (I assume) ends up being a monster and completely unsympathetic as well. And, I don't need everyone to be good and sweet, but when it seems there are no redeemable characters or the ones who are are just walk ons, it doesn't make for a pleasant reading experience. I also found her prose style way too flowery. It wasn't like she just wrote beautifully, it was self conscious, like she wanted to make sure you knew she was doing it and she was patting herself on the back about it. I don't know what she was thinking, of course, but that's how I felt when I read the book.
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
9 Apr 08
Possession by A.S. Byatt.
Her writing style is the very definition of arrogance. She's completely enamoured with her own cleverness. By the time I'd finished it I wanted to bop her over the head with the book! I was so irritated to have wasted my time indulging in this woman's smugness!
