It’s a question inspired by this post https://www.reddit.com/r/books/s/s2jK2DzFrA by u/oh_sneezeus

Is there any book that is considered a classic or regularly shows up on the “100 books to read before you die” lists and such, you had high expectations before reading and then you ended up absolutey detesting?

For me it’s Blindness by José Saramago, it started off good and then page after page it was becoming more unbearable for me to read, I hated the characters, the things they were doing and the conclusions of the book. I was really disappointed because the plot seemed really good and all I ended up with was frustration.

Is there a book that did the same to you?

    • QuietRainyDay@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      I love ATOTC but its in no man’s land unfortunately

      Its not profound enough to thrive outside of its time but its too pulpy to help us properly understand what went on in those years. You need to be the kind of semi-nerd that enjoys reliving the life of 19th century bourgeoisie (but some years removed from the events of the novel) to really love it.

      Im afraid that as time wears on people will care about it less and less

    • andante528@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      I sobbed in class reading the end. Still the most I’ve ever cried reading a book. That poor seamstress, not to mention Sydney Carton’s POV right then.

    • tintinstrick@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      I loooove Tale of Two Cities. But I know if I hadn’t had an amazing teacher who taught me why it is so lovable I probably would’ve hated it too haha

    • tenhinas@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      You’re valid. A lot of people love Dickens.

      I’m not one of them. 😂 I can tell he was being paid by the word. Reading him makes me feel like a high school teacher reading an essay by a kid who thesaurus’d their way into the minimum page count. So many tangents and unnecessary characters… my brother in christ surely you could’ve cleaned this up a LITTLE?

      I feel much the same about Tolkien, for what it’s worth. Yes, some of these side quests are neat, but they don’t actually contribute anything to the story, and now I’ve forgotten what the characters are supposed to be doing.

    • appa609@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      TOTC was actually an engaging story. Actually every Dickens book I’ve read has been great.