BTT: Worst ‘Best’ Book
This week’s question asks:
Suggested by Janet:
How about, “What’s the worst ‘best’ book you’ve ever read — the one everyone says is so great, but you can’t figure out why?”
I can only think of a couple, and I didn’t even finish them: Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude“, and Mark Haddon’s “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.” Neither of these books caught my attention before the first 50 pages (my usual guide for how long I’ll keep trying with a book), and they were boring me to tears. When you have to force yourself to keep picking up a book and TRYING to read it, you know it’s just not worth your time.
I also wasn’t all that thrilled with “The Shack” by William P. Young. While it wasn’t the worst book I’ve ever read (it did have its redeeming qualities), it also wasn’t worth all of the hype that it’s received. The writing wasn’t that great, and the book’s theology was somewhat off. So, in my humble opinion, it wasn’t what everyone made it out to be… even the blurbs on the cover.
Edited to add… Ah! The other BTT participants brought to mind another that I didn’t like, and that’s Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist” (LOL… couldn’t even remember the title, for a minute, there!). I’ve tried and tried to like it, but just can’t get into it, and end up setting it aside after a handful of pages. Blech.
Oh dear…The Shack is up next for my book group! One Hundred Years of Solitude is part of my answer today, too.
One Hundred Years of Solitude was my pick as well. I am currently reading The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time … wish me luck!
http://barneysbookblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/booking-through-thursday_19.html
I have The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime in my book collection, unread. I read only decent reviews on it, and a lot of people had read. I figured I would too. So I guess we’ll see…. Everyone has their own taste that’s for sure. I’m not sure what type you’re into when it comes to books, but check out Lullabies for Little Criminals if you haven’t read it already. I just lent it to a friend and she also loved it. It’s sure to grab your attention
I keep hearing about The Curious Incident… but haven’t read it yet. hhhmmmmm, not sure I want to now!
Here’s mine: http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com/2009/03/btt-worst-best-book.html
I would agree with you on the Alchemist, but I actually enjoyed the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime. I even read Haddon’s next book Spot of Bother. Mine is here:
http://ravndahl.blogspot.com/2009/03/booking-through-thursday.html
I’ve seen lots of people mention Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I have a couple of his on my shelf, but am not in a hurry to get to them now.
I liked the Alchemist, and Curious Incident was ok.
I haven’t read any of the three you mention, but really don’t have a desire too. I did read “the Alchemist” and guess I’m one of the few who really enjoyed it and got something out of it.
I’ve heard great reports of ‘Curous Incident of the dog’, I haven’t read it myself, it’s good to hear opinions for and against.
I haven’t read any of these but The Alchemist has been mentioned several times so I guess that can come off the wish list.
My BTT is here
I’ve tried to read Garcia, but with the exception of on eof his short stories I haven’t been able to do it. I tried Love in the Time of Cholera and I just don’t get anywhere.
My pick for this week is Da Vinci Code. It doesn’t have any competitor. The literary blunders and infelicities just confound me.
The Alchemist is just fluffy. That it became an international phenomenon, as the blurb claims, confounds me.
Well, I’m 50/50 on your choices. I loved the Curious Incident and liked the Alchemist. I don’t think 100 Years would be a very interesting read and like you I did not like The Shack.
One Hundred Years was on my list too! And I never finished it either.
I heard alot about The Shack and wanted to read it, but I looked at it at the bookstore and it didn’t seem like it was my kind of thing.