A literary confession topic - Page 2

Andrew H. · 08-16-2011, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anamardoll

5. I stopped reading Piers Anthony's Xanth books after #20-something because I hate puns.

#20?!? - Isn't that like complaining that the food is bad, but the portions are too small? :-)

JSWolf · 08-16-2011, 08:54 PM

Most old (now public domain world wide) classics are awful. They are dull and dated and not fun to read. As a category, classic is meaningless.

Now onto something lighter.

Star Trek is better then Star Wars!

anamardoll · 08-17-2011, 10:23 AM

Catlady! Internet Hugs?

I thought the first Harry Potter novel was boring, too. Well, very "padded", I'd say. But I've enjoyed the movies and once I can get eBook editions, I may try again...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

#20?!? - Isn't that like complaining that the food is bad, but the portions are too small? :-)

Haha, the first 4-5 were GREAT. Then the puns started creeping in more and more. It was like boiling a frog slowly (although I hear that analogy is false). One day I woke up and realized the entire series was now strung together by puns sent in by a strange and rabid fanbase.

Hellmark · 08-17-2011, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anamardoll

I LOVE the trilogy, but the first time I tried to read it, I wanted to throw the book across the room. The opening is so freaking slow it's criminal. HATE HATE HATED it.

I had to watch the movies and listen to the audio book before I came to like the series and give the book a chance again. If you really want to be exposed to the series because it's famous and whatnot, I HIGHLY recommend checking the audio books out at the library. The voice actor is superb and makes even the boring bits sound interesting, imho.

(And if you don't want to get familiar with them, that's fine too -- just throwing it out as an alternative option for people who found the book boring 'cause I sympathize.

)

The opening was sooo freaking slow and tedious. Ok, yeah, he's on trial for libel, because he was given bad info. Get on with it already. I mean, the movie was able to make it last just a few minutes, so doesn't need to be a big to do.

anamardoll · 08-17-2011, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellmark

The opening was sooo freaking slow and tedious. Ok, yeah, he's on trial for libel, because he was given bad info. Get on with it already. I mean, the movie was able to make it last just a few minutes, so doesn't need to be a big to do.

And he takes FOREVER to explain the difference between "protected source" and "off the record". Yeah, it's plot relevant later, but it's a TERRIBLE opening hook.

elcreative · 08-17-2011, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anamardoll

Catlady! Internet Hugs?

I thought the first Harry Potter novel was boring, too. Well, very "padded", I'd say. But I've enjoyed the movies and once I can get eBook editions, I may try again...

If you thought the first one was padded (ducks rabid fan-base hurled brick) then you're going to be in real trouble with the rest...

HarryT · 08-17-2011, 11:13 AM

I have read - and enjoyed - several of John Norman's "Gor" books

.

Hellmark · 08-17-2011, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elcreative

If you thought the first one was padded (ducks rabid fan-base hurled brick) then you're going to be in real trouble with the rest...

The later ones have more plots and intricate details. The first one deals mostly with introductions.

Catlady · 08-17-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anamardoll

Catlady! Internet Hugs?

I thought the first Harry Potter novel was boring, too. Well, very "padded", I'd say. But I've enjoyed the movies and once I can get eBook editions, I may try again...

The only thing that MIGHT make me try Harry again someday is the phenomenal Jim Dale reading the audio books. I've loved him ever since Barnum.

Sweetpea · 08-17-2011, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Most old (now public domain world wide) classics are awful. They are dull and dated and not fun to read. As a category, classic is meaningless.

Now onto something lighter.

Star Trek is better then Star Wars!

Agree! Most classics are either boring and/or out-dated beyond believe (tedious, long-winded...). Naturally, there are always exceptions...

And yes, Star Trek is better than Star Wars

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catlady

The only thing that MIGHT make me try Harry again someday is the phenomenal Jim Dale reading the audio books. I've loved him ever since Barnum.

Jim Dale just doesn't measure up to my big favourite: Stephen Fry. He is so much more awesomer than Jim Dale! Though, the Jim Dale version wan't bad. It's just that Stephen Fry was so much better

MrsJoseph · 08-17-2011, 04:24 PM

I have a lit degree and hate most "classic" and "literary novels."

I abhorred "Moby Dick" only slightly less that "Bartleby the Scrivener" but strangely enough I loved Browning's "Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came."

I thought Harry Potter #1 was only ok. I never understood the excitement.

I thought 1984 was good...but horribly boring and I would rather punch myself in the head than read it again.

I loved Piers Anthony but I can't seem to make myself read any of his books other than The Incarnations of Immortality series any more (and I can't read all of them, either).

I love Faulkner. No, I hate Faulkner. No, I love Faulkner. No, I hate Faulkner. No, I love Faulkner. No, I hate Faulkner. No, I love Faulkner. No, I hate Faulkner. No, I love Faulkner. No, I hate Faulkner. No, I love Faulkner.

Jane Eyre? Ugh.

Austen period? Double ugh.

And I HATED Heathcliff!

The book I have hated most in life? The Awakening

I enjoyed Brown's "The Da Vinci Code." (ducks)

I thought "Girl with a Pearl Earring" should have titled "Girl who is here to bore you to death" (DNF) but I really enjoyed "The Lady and the Unicorn."

MrsJoseph · 08-17-2011, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I have read - and enjoyed - several of John Norman's "Gor" books

.

You know, MZB wrote a book named "Warrior Woman" specifically in response to the Gor books after a challenge by the author of the Gor series.

I have a copy but it's languishing on the TBR pile. I really need to get to that...

anamardoll · 08-17-2011, 04:55 PM

*does super-special secret English/Literature degree wave at MrsJoseph*

I wish you'd been at MY school. I was the only female in the Eng/Lit department that didn't love Austen and the Brontes.

JSWolf · 08-17-2011, 05:18 PM

School made me really dislike Shakespeare. It was awful when I read it. No idea if I'd still find his work awful to read. But I'm not going to risk it.

A Passage to India was torture to read. Read if as the first book of the MR book club.

Anna Karenina that was recently read is really awful.

Dracula start off OK, but then went into pure tedium with nothing to be scared of except falling asleep.

A lot of these classics are outdated. They don't read well today. I'm not saying all are bad. But a lot of the so-called popular ones just fall flat.

What I don't get is that with all the people who don't like these sorts of books why the book club has two months of classics.

I've not yet read Dan Brown's books, but the movies based on his books I do like. I like Star Trek books. I like books that are silly and make me laugh. The writing doesn't have to be wonderful. A lot of these dull classics sport wonderful writing. But what's so wonderful about dullness?

Harry Potter is not up to the level of say Jane Austen of Tolstoy yet I'd rather reread Harry Potter then Austen or Tolstoy. I'd even prefer to reread the Hardy Boys then Austen or Tolstoy. I'm not picky. I just don't want to fall asleep at my book.

anamardoll · 08-17-2011, 05:23 PM

Shakespeare should not, in my opinion, be read. It should be watched. I don't like reading Shakespeare myself, but I adore watching his plays.

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08-16-2011, 08:54 PM	#17
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,792 Karma: 146391129 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Most old (now public domain world wide) classics are awful. They are dull and dated and not fun to read. As a category, classic is meaningless. Now onto something lighter. Star Trek is better then Star Wars!

08-17-2011, 11:13 AM	#22
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,547 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I have read - and enjoyed - several of John Norman's "Gor" books .

08-17-2011, 04:24 PM	#26
MrsJoseph Loves Ellipsis... Posts: 1,554 Karma: 7899232 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Washington, DC Device: Kobo Wifi (broken), nook STR (returned), Kobo Touch, Sony T1	I have a lit degree and hate most "classic" and "literary novels." I abhorred "Moby Dick" only slightly less that "Bartleby the Scrivener" but strangely enough I loved Browning's "Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came." I thought Harry Potter #1 was only ok. I never understood the excitement. I thought 1984 was good...but horribly boring and I would rather punch myself in the head than read it again. I loved Piers Anthony but I can't seem to make myself read any of his books other than The Incarnations of Immortality series any more (and I can't read all of them, either). I love Faulkner. No, I hate Faulkner. No, I love Faulkner. No, I hate Faulkner. No, I love Faulkner. No, I hate Faulkner. No, I love Faulkner. No, I hate Faulkner. No, I love Faulkner. No, I hate Faulkner. No, I love Faulkner. Jane Eyre? Ugh. Austen period? Double ugh. And I HATED Heathcliff! The book I have hated most in life? The Awakening I enjoyed Brown's "The Da Vinci Code." (ducks) I thought "Girl with a Pearl Earring" should have titled "Girl who is here to bore you to death" (DNF) but I really enjoyed "The Lady and the Unicorn."

08-17-2011, 04:55 PM	#28
anamardoll Chasing Butterflies Posts: 3,132 Karma: 5074169 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: American Southwest Device: Uses batteries.	does super-special secret English/Literature degree wave at MrsJoseph I wish you'd been at MY school. I was the only female in the Eng/Lit department that didn't love Austen and the Brontes.

08-17-2011, 05:18 PM	#29
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,792 Karma: 146391129 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	School made me really dislike Shakespeare. It was awful when I read it. No idea if I'd still find his work awful to read. But I'm not going to risk it. A Passage to India was torture to read. Read if as the first book of the MR book club. Anna Karenina that was recently read is really awful. Dracula start off OK, but then went into pure tedium with nothing to be scared of except falling asleep. A lot of these classics are outdated. They don't read well today. I'm not saying all are bad. But a lot of the so-called popular ones just fall flat. What I don't get is that with all the people who don't like these sorts of books why the book club has two months of classics. I've not yet read Dan Brown's books, but the movies based on his books I do like. I like Star Trek books. I like books that are silly and make me laugh. The writing doesn't have to be wonderful. A lot of these dull classics sport wonderful writing. But what's so wonderful about dullness? Harry Potter is not up to the level of say Jane Austen of Tolstoy yet I'd rather reread Harry Potter then Austen or Tolstoy. I'd even prefer to reread the Hardy Boys then Austen or Tolstoy. I'm not picky. I just don't want to fall asleep at my book.

08-17-2011, 05:23 PM	#30
anamardoll Chasing Butterflies Posts: 3,132 Karma: 5074169 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: American Southwest Device: Uses batteries.	Shakespeare should not, in my opinion, be read. It should be watched. I don't like reading Shakespeare myself, but I adore watching his plays.