What, in your opinion, is the best book that you haven’t liked? Mind you, I don’t mean your most-hated book–oh, no. I mean the most accomplished, skilled, well-written, impressive book that you just simply didn’t like.
Like, for movies–I can acknowledge that Citizen Kane is a tour de force and is all sorts of wonderful, cinematically speaking, but . . . I just don’t like it. I find it impressive and quite an accomplishment, but it’s not my cup of tea.
So . . . what book (or books) is your Citizen Kane?
Funny, I never cared for Citizen Kane!
At first glance, I thought, "What a tough question," but then after thinking a couple of minutes, I came up with my answers. Please don't hate me, but Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is one book I did not enjoy. I know that there are fan clubs for Jane Austen, and it's a classic, but I just could never understand what all the shouting was about.
Another classic that is a "Citizen Kane" to me is William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury. It seems to me that the author set out to boggle the mind, and I must admit, that he did a good job boggling mine! I felt proud of myself for merely finishing that book!
A final example is One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez. The magic realism and those gold fish left me cold. (sigh)
It might appear from this list that I don't like classics, but that is simply not true. However, these three accomplished, skilled, well-written books I simply did not like.
What's your "Citizen Kane" book?
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20 comments:
There are many classics that just aren't enjoyable reads. I can think of a few Dickens' I could live without. Lord of the Flies by Golding. The list could go on and on.
I do like Pride and Prejudice but then I liked Citizen Kane too.
Pride and Prejudice is about the only classic (so far) that I do really love, which, ironically, feels a little weird - I'm not used to mass opinion lining up with my own on books! Of course I won't hate you though :-) I feel the same way about many, many books.
I guess if I have one I've blocked it out of my mind LOL! I very rarely don't finish a book. A couple of found their way to me that I just couldn't get through. I'll have to search back into my memory banks and see if I can remember what my Citizen Kane book is.
take care,
Dawn
I think it's really interesting that Jane Austen's P&P makes your list of books here but would so easily make my Top 10 favourite reads! I studied this book at A-Level and just love it.
I have read 100 Years of Solitude and it really was a bit of a struggle. I far prefer Love in a Cold Climate.
I think a lot of the classics are truly good stories, but reading them today is difficult. I love the movie of P&P -- because the story itself is amazing, but not the book. I feel the same about many Dickens novels and more.
Thanks for visiting!
Sally, there you go making me think about books I have read. I have read many of James A. Michener's books over the years and there is one that stands out in my memory. Alaska. I just didn't care for it. It never grabbed me like alot of his books did. I admit that his multitude of characters was always a challenge to get through. It is his historical value I loved learning.
I agree with some of the classics being hard to read in modern day. I told my daughter to read 'Rebecca'
and she didn't like the old fashioned writing. She did finish it though.
Keep reading...Hugs...Jeanne
Hi Sally! Off-topic, but thanks so much for your kind comments on my blog. :)
I never could get into Jane Austen's books, whether in a class I was taking or rereading them on my own.
Well, I haven't read any of the three but I've got Austen on my list for a challenge...
Thanks for stopping by my place.
cjh
Hi Sally! I was nice to Sarah. I'll be posting the finished project in the morning. :)
Thanks for stopping by.
100 Years was a struggle for me to finish as well...Madame Bovary...and both my husband and I have tried to finish Finnegan's Wake of late. He is still at it, I surrendered! : )
Hugs,
Sue
I haven't been able to get into Jane Austen either. I read Faulkner but don't remember much of it so I guess it would qualify on my list too. Thanks for visiting my blog.
I enjoyed both P&P and 100 Years. Hehe. :)
I'm not a major fan of magic realism. I did like Faulkner back in my Faulkner phase--late high school, early college. Haven't read any since. I confess to liking P & P.
I'd have to agree about with you about PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. Another book I have trouble with is MOBY DICK. I see moral value in the story, but I don't find the book captivating. And finally, there's IVANHOE. Lots of people love it, but I've never made it through.
Oh boy oh boy, but you're going to come by my place and blast me for this, but... I didn't really enjoy Gone With the Wind all that much. I know, just shoot me now and get it over with! WAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Justine :o )
I'm sorry to say, but I am very prejudiced against male writer's. I just cannot understand how a man can understand the inner, complex landscapes of a woman's heart and soul. I've watched the movie, 'The Notebook', but I just cannot get into reading Nicolas Sparks. I know, I know.
For me it's Wuthering Heights. Ugh it was horrible.
Oooooh, I had forgotten about Faulkner. I've tried reading his and didn't enjoy them either. I've seen a few now with Marquez novels.
I started reading "The Sound and the Fury" but then didn't finish it (although I still have hopes of getting back to it someday). You should be proud of yourself for finishing it, though!
I did love Pride & Prejudice, however.
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