I can't think that I've ever been recommended a book, let alone then actually read it.
Books that disappoint Page 2
When I was going thru chemo, a friend dropped off a massive bag of books for me. They were all Danielle Steele books. *shudders* So, I pick all of her overrated nighty-burners.
Charles Dickens might have been a great social commentator but in a book burning contest I'd put his up first.
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ August 1 2009, 11:50 AM BSTI dearly hope you're joking!
Sorry, it was one of the least funny jokes from the movie Hot Shots! Part Deux:
Rabinowitz: What are you reading?
Topper: Great Expectations.
Rabinowitz: Is it any good?
Topper: It's not what I'd hoped for.
A massively over-rated book is Conrad's Heart of Darkness. Absolute yawn-fest.
Quote: Kenneth @ August 1 2009, 1:43 PM BSTA massively over-rated book is Conrad's Heart of Darkness. Absolute yawn-fest.
I hated that too. It makes me dislike Apocylpse Now too.
Quote: Kenneth @ August 1 2009, 1:43 PM BSTA massively over-rated book is Conrad's Heart of Darkness. Absolute yawn-fest.
Conrad wrote English as if it was a foreign language, which in fairness it was. Dreadful stylist.
The collected poems of John Donne. Metaphysical wank.
Mrs Dalloway.
Quote: roscoff @ August 1 2009, 1:46 PM BSTThe collected poems of John Donne. Metaphysical wank.
Oh yeah, can't stand the metaphysical poets.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Pretentious tosh.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Egocentric drivel. Whereas The Electric Cool Aid Acid Test was a masterpiece.
Quote: Kenneth @ August 1 2009, 1:51 PM BSTFear and Loathing in Las Vegas Egocentric drivel.
I enjoyed it, but I was one of those books you need to read when you are young, before you have sussed out what a wanker looks like. Kingsley Amis Lucky Jim is another in that category.
The Portrait of Lady, Jane Eyre amongst others made my A level english torturous. Why was so much 19th century literature self indulgent dreary shite.
Portrait of a Lady though. I'm building a time machine so I can go back and kick Henry James in the plums.
Tintin in the New World was also hugely disappointing.
And perhaps the very worst book I've read in recent years was Planet Simpson - some dolt trying to write a book about The Simpsons and its cultural impact.
The Anne Rice vampire novels - urgh. 500 pages of fruity vamps having a cry. A My Guy true love photo story was a grittier, more masculine slice of brutalised realism in comparison.
It goes without question that I avoid any book with the caveat from the reader 'This book changed my life.' Just because words are printed in a book, does not make them holy gospel. Some people are easily led.
Quote: sootyj @ August 1 2009, 2:22 PM BSTThe Portrait of Lady, Jane Eyre amongst others made my A level english torturous. Why was so much 19th century literature self indulgent dreary shite.
Portrait of a Lady though. I'm building a time machine so I can go back and kick Henry James in the plums.
I generally love 19th century novels, but never got on with Henry James either.