Explanation - invariably I will read a fantastic book, beautifully written with a sweeping or moving story that is profoundly impactful…and some amateur reviewer will have written, “That book is so boring! Blah, blah, blah, nothing exciting ever happens!” 🙄
When I read these, I often pause to try to imagine what sort of book those reviewers WOULD like, lol. No doubt its probably an elitist, pompous exercise…but its fun imagining for a moment a book filled with non-stop, over the top action, gory or imaginative deaths by the dozens, torrid romantic liasons, CIA and KGB and SS agents around every corner, etc. Ive been tempted to write that book, tongue in cheek, just so those reviewers would have something to be happy about.
Then I thought…maybe someone has already done this? Intentionally written a book so egregiously over-the-top that even those action-aholics might be tempted to say, “too fast, and too much excitement…” in their reviews?
Tis is very true! I read Josiah Bancroft’s " Senlin Ascends" and in the first 150 pages I was hating it. The style (sort of 19th century literary), the story, the setting, and soooo many unlikable characters…I almost gave up and remember telling a friend how much I hated it.
But I almost never give up in a book, and so finished all 480 pages. By the end, I had mostly captured the mood and feel Bancroft was going for, and had to complement him on his world building and artful prose. I wouldn’t say I LIKED the book, more respected it.
Then the second one came out. It got glowing reviews, and after a while I gave in and bought it. This time, there was no orientation period, and the book immediately became exciting and rich in character and story.
Long story short, I’ve read all the series now, and its one of my favorite modern novel series! To your point, I think that though I didn’t much “like” the first book, I recognized that something big was going on here, and it deserved more of my time and attention. Im so glad I chose to press on.