What author did you read a book by and didn’t like, but gave them another chance and loved it?

I’m so glad I gave Edith Wharton another chance. I read Ethan Frome and thought it was fine. On a whim I picked up The Age of Innocence and fell in love. Now I’m buying anything I can by her. I recently read The House of Mirth, and can confirm she is one of my favorite authors now. Anybody have a similar experience with an author?

  • Efficient-Grass-6275@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I’ve read a lot of Faulkner and I found the sound and the fury to be absolutely, astonishingly profound. But I also read that one after having read like four or five others for a lot class so I wonder if there’s something to starting with easier Faulkner first.

    • Relayer_74@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Yes, that is a good observation. I should go back and revisit The Sound and the Fury now.

    • NTT66@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      I started with Sound and the Fury. Didn’t turn me off one bit - quite the opposite, it opened the door - but I totally understand how it might make people reluctant to try others.

      Personally Absalom, Absalom may be my favorite. As I Lay Dying is amazing in its own way. Light in August is so beautiful and tragic. I haven’t read Sanctuary, and i have ahard time getting into The Reivers, but I think I’m due for my annual retry.

      I also have his Three Short Novels and a huge collection of stories. A Rose for Emily still hits me every time…

    • Relayer_74@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      I think you are correct in starting with other texts. Now that I have committed to reading Absalom Absalom, I might go back and re-read Sound and the Fury as well.