What, in your opinion, is the best book that you haven’t liked? Mind you, I don’t mean your most-hated book–oh, no. I mean the most accomplished, skilled, well-written, impressive book that you just simply didn’t like.Like, for movies–I can acknowledge that Citizen Kane is a tour de force and is all sorts of wonderful, cinematically speaking, but . . . I just don’t like it. I find it impressive and quite an accomplishment, but it’s not my cup of tea.
So . . . what book (or books) is your Citizen Kane?
Perhaps the whole Toni Morrison oeuvre? I don't like her stories, I don't connect with her writing, and yet she's won the Nobel prize for writing, and Oprah loves her novels. I remember watching an Oprah book club for Song of Solomon and the members were so moved, and profoundly affected, and I was just "Huh?"
Also, Lolita by Nabokov. I read the annotated edition, and the layers and allusions and parallels in that novel were enough to make a whole other novel. It was well written, in that every word was selected for a reason, and had an important function. I don't like to work that hard for my reading. I could never decide if I liked the book, because it was well written, but without all the notes, I would have missed so much, even pertinent plot points.
Some writers, the ones that readers connect with, write the way that matches their brain, the way their brain thinks. I think of Nick Hornby and Ken Jennings for example, as writers that I just nod the whole time I am reading. Others maybe don't like or connect with their reading, but it just matches the way my brain processes information. Writers I don't get must have their brain wired differently than mine or vice versa. That's why other readers will like them - their wiring matches.
Good point about the brain being wired differently.
ReplyDeleteI listed three different titles, but after thinking about it, I could create a long list of do-not-want-to-read-at-any-cost books. Please come visit me.
That was a good point! Sometimes I wonder why everyone loves a book I didn't.
ReplyDeleteThat's an excellent hypothesis for why some of us don't like authors who others did. As for Toni Morrison, I like her writing, but I don't enjoy her writing, if that makes any sense. She's not the kind of author I pick up when I want to feel good.
ReplyDeleteI have hated many a book loved by all. It just comes down to our own personal preferences.
ReplyDeleteMy BTT post!
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I have only attempted on Toni Morrison book but I totally didn't get it either!
ReplyDeleteThat should be one Toni Morrison book, not on! Never mind! Gives me a perfect reason to comment again to tell you that I have given you a blog award here
ReplyDeleteI have had the same response to Toni Morrison
ReplyDeleteI completely agree about Toni Morrison, but you should give Lolita another try. It's gorgeously written and just really, really good.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about Toni Morrison, I am not a big fan of hers. I do love Lolita and it is in my top 5 favourite books of all time and I hope you do give it another go. Glad to find another Nick Hornby fan :)
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