They're my main ones too. The difference between us is I didn't read them as a teenager (I was in my 20's) and never much cared for either of them. I remember I did like Kerouac's The Subterraneans though.
I loved that!Likewise, 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance'...
Absolutely. Angels & Demons was much, much worse. I could sort of get through TDVC, but I gave up after about 6 chapters of A&D.
Agreed on Miss Smilla, so boring.Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow, Capt Correlli's Mandolin...just didn't get the fuss
you've been reading the wrong murakami, you should have been reading david murakami wood who i see has only been mentioned on here once before
Why? I loved that one!
I had to Google but yes looks much more sensible.
I liked them too but found the whole agonising over it and disappointment with Vatican II v strange as everyone I knew just ignored all that stuff rather than thinking about it or agonising over it. Really felt very old fashioned. ( I was born well after it though.)I liked Lodge’s books. He’s avery good writer. But I was brought up Catholic so it was fine for me. Although I could have done without the latest one. (I’ll need to check if he’s written more. I mean “Thinks”).
I remember a book group I was in in the 90s were split between Catholics and non Catholics as to whether they liked him.
I appreciate it's foolish of me to go on the "books everyone thinks are great but you hate" thread and be shocked by people knocking books I think are great, but Another Country? Blimey, I think that's a strong contender for best novel I've ever read. I remember thinking at the time that you can tell Baldwin's a really great author because he manages to make the book enjoyable despite the amount of jazz in it.
Not necessarily disagreeing with any of this, but out of curiousity would you say the same about 1982, Janine?
To be fair, it's tempting to expect consistency from an author and I'm sure I've done the same thing, but Plot Against America was 2004 and Portnoy's was 1969. It'd be surprising if the quality of his work didn't vary a fair bit over a 35-year period.
Aye, I prefer Doncaster DeLillo myself.
Or ahead of its time, I hear all the zoomers are sedevacantists nowadays.
I only brought it up in response to ska invita I wouldn’t have volunteered it as a “book I hate”. It’s a book I didn’t enjoy very much.
No. I guess I just don’t think Roth ages well. Some writers don’t.
Likewise, 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance'...
I did the thing with On the Road that probably everyone should if they have the opportunity. I was 23 and I read it while travelling across the US from Miami to San Francisco. I've never tried to read it again because it was perfect then, and I don't want to ruin it for myself. I think a lot of it is about reading the right book at the right age or in the right context. I also really enjoyed Zen at the time, also aged about 23, it sent me down many rabbit holes, some of which i haven't fully returned from.I tried so hard to like 'On The Road' as a teen, but...nah.
Likewise, 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance'...
I couldn't finish it. I often find reading books a struggle so it might not have been that bad, but I didn't like it.Dystopiary I didn't hate it exactly, but I found Story of O quite repetitive and dull but I guess people don't read that book for the plot.
Seriously? I thought it was great. I understand why people might not have liked it but the worst book you've ever read? I might need to read it again though tbf but I remember the psychology parts being really convincing. It was a long time since I read it though.
Lol you didn't miss much
