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?

  • SchoolScout@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Lolita. I just don’t get what everyone thinks is so deep about it. The justification I’ve heard is that people find it really challenging and interesting that Humbert Humbert is both a complete monster while being educated and refined, so he becomes a sympathetic character. I never really felt that way while reading the book. I didn’t root for him in any way and I didn’t sympathize with him. It didn’t feel complex or challenging, it just felt like a grim description of abuse.

    I don’t dislike the book because I dislike him-- I just don’t really see anything else in there to glom on to and enjoy. The unreliable narrator thing isn’t really enough to keep me interested in this case because the morality of the situation seems so cut and dry. People talk about the sophistication of Humbert Humbert’s references being another selling point but I also find this kind of boring. It’s not unusual or novel for abusers to be educated, high status, powerful people-- it might even be the norm! Since there’s so little else to the book, it leaves me thinking that it’s only a classic because of the titillation of taboo subject matter. I guess I just don’t find it titillating!

    The only part of the book that stuck with me is when he lustily describes the girl as having a ‘biscuity scent’. Like ya, she’s 9, she probably smells like graham crackers and grape juice. You’re a sicko, Humbert.