Mark ’s review of Demon Copperhead > Likes and Comments

Mark my friend, knowing your enthusiasm for books and our sometimes differing opinions, I am curious as to what your take on this book will be. Please tag me when you read it so I don't miss your review.

Lisa wrote: "Mark my friend, knowing your enthusiasm for books and our sometimes differing opinions, I am curious as to what your take on this book will be. Please tag me when you read it so I don't miss your r..."

Will do Lisa!!!

It happens...shake it off mate. Onwards and upwards

Lisa wrote: "Mark my friend, knowing your enthusiasm for books and our sometimes differing opinions, I am curious as to what your take on this book will be. Please tag me when you read it so I don't miss your r..."

Yes, I just read your excellent review Lisa, I did smile when you said you were 'page counting; halfway through - but it seems you enjoyed this one a bot more than I did!

Blair wrote: "It happens...shake it off mate. Onwards and upwards"

Shaken off already Blair - this one was an easy one ot let go in the end - thanks mate!

As your mate, Blair, opined, "poop happens, mate"!
You did the right thing - I have to do it all the time :((

Yeah, mate, I've noticed you don't hesitate to DNF if it doesn't suit - I'll have to take a leaf out of your book Terry!!! 😉

Sorry it didn't work for you but I am glad when readers bravely put their unpopular opinions out there. I read an extended excerpt and can't wait to get my hands on it. Still a 6 months wait at the library. I look forward to your next review.

I’ve been afraid that my reaction would be similar to yours, Mark, which is why I haven’t picked it up as yet. After reading your review and Candi’s, I now know I will give it a pass. Thanks for the honest review!

If time is money, you've proved the saying wrong and prospered by having quit, Mark. I enjoyed the Poisonwood Bible. I recommend it if you're forgiving enough to give Barbara Kingsolver a chance for atonement.

Mark, thank you for bravely picking this novel up and giving it a try. I understand your DNF as I considered that at one point. I do really appreciate Kingsolver's message and it did get me to re-evaluate some opinions I didn't realize I was holding. So for that, I have to give this book credit and that's what made it worthwhile for me.

The narration grated on my nerves as well, Markus! That did not change after 150 pages so it's a good thing you bailed. I hope you have a 5 star book on your horizon!! :)

Yikes, I wasn't sure about this now I am. I hope you enjoy your next one Mark

ahahahaha Mark, this line made me laugh so much--->

"The thought of proceeding with this one filled me with dread. "

especially when I imagined you utter that line! XD

I started reading it and was not a fan either

Oh no! First DNF for 2023. I have to admit, I struggled to finish her book Unsheltered, which I read for Bookclub a few years ago.

Onwards & upwards Marko! ☺

Oh bummer!! Oh well, onwards! We can't all like the same stories all of the time :)

Hey pal. I happened to love this book but plenty of GR friends did not. Hope you've moved on to something fantastic.

I was feeling very lonely and then I read your review and company at last. Seriously did not work for me either.

It’s hard being an outlier but we all experience it at some point. You know when it’s time to quit, no need for torturing yourself.

I couldn't finish this one either.

Oh Mark, you gave it a yeoman’s effort. Some of us loved it, others not so much. I love the diversity of your reading!

Laura wrote: "Sorry it didn't work for you but I am glad when readers bravely put their unpopular opinions out there. I read an extended excerpt and can't wait to get my hands on it. Still a 6 months wait at the..."

A 6 month wait Laura? I do hope this one works for you - as you say, this view of mine is pretty much the minority view - the narrator, charming at first - grated on me. BUT - dont let that put you off - hahaha!!

Barbara K. wrote: "I’ve been afraid that my reaction would be similar to yours, Mark, which is why I haven’t picked it up as yet. After reading your review and Candi’s, I now know I will give it a pass. Thanks for th..."

My pleasure Barbara - it's quite long too, the best thing I can say is , it was a large print copy - 'easy on the eyes'. Faint praise indeed. Oh, I'll have to check out Candi's review too!

Javier wrote: "If time is money, you've proved the saying wrong and prospered by having quit, Mark. I enjoyed the Poisonwood Bible. I recommend it if you're forgiving enough to give Barbara Kingsolver a chance fo..."

Hahaha "time is money" - not anymore Javier, as now I do nothing!! Maybe if I put it this way:

"The universe only gave me a finite number of heartbeats and I'll be buggered if I'm gonna waste them on an unenjoyable book"

I may gvie her another go mate, as I do know she has a substantial following.

Lisa wrote: "Mark, thank you for bravely picking this novel up and giving it a try. I understand your DNF as I considered that at one point. I do really appreciate Kingsolver's message and it did get me to re-e..."

Thanks Lisa, what was the author's ultimate message in the end? I know the subject matter contains (up to where I read) domestic violence, fratured families, friednship, government services - issues, coming of age, substance abuse - so there was a lot there already.

Candi wrote: "The narration grated on my nerves as well, Markus! That did not change after 150 pages so it's a good thing you bailed. I hope you have a 5 star book on your horizon!! :)"

Yes, I just checked out your review and enjoyed it and agreed with your comments. As I said, you presented the issues you (we) experienced with this one much better than I. I wonder if it would have been better if the narrator was the all knowing 3rd person? What do you think?

Margaret M - Hiatus wrote: "Yikes, I wasn't sure about this now I am. I hope you enjoy your next one Mark"

Lots of people do like it though Margaret - but I do think it's a risky read!!

Nilanjana wrote: "ahahahaha Mark, this line made me laugh so much--->

"The thought of proceeding with this one filled me with dread. "

especially when I imagined you utter that line! XD"

Now listen here you!! I'm not here to be laughed at 😂🎈

Susan wrote: "I started reading it and was not a fan either"

Did you finish it Susan?

Nat wrote: "Oh no! First DNF for 2023. I have to admit, I struggled to finish her book Unsheltered, which I read for Bookclub a few years ago.

Onwards & upwards Marko! ☺"

Always onwards and upwards in the deluded world of Marko, Nattington - thanks for checking in!!

Jen CAN wrote: "Oh bummer!! Oh well, onwards! We can't all like the same stories all of the time :)"

Cheers Jen Jen - great to see you gave this a big 5-stars though, I remember reading your review - so can I blame you? (you see, I'm a blamer 😂😬)

Anne wrote: "Hey pal. I happened to love this book but plenty of GR friends did not. Hope you've moved on to something fantastic."

Yes, great to see another friend give this a blistering 5 stars Annie - seems to be a polarising read hey? I'm reading a wonderful Murakami novella at the moment and was up until 1.30am reading it this morning. It's wonderful!!

Sara wrote: "I was feeling very lonely and then I read your review and company at last. Seriously did not work for me either."

Yes, we're both sitting in the back corner, crying into our beers Sara! I just re-checked out your review and I should've listened - but, I went barrelling on, I totally ignored your comments and it all turned to crap.

I even said this re your review "Oh dear Sara, this one is now tenuously hanging onto my TBR" - I should've let it go.

ps. I know there's nothing sadder than someone who quotes themself - but I needed to make a point 😬

Lori wrote: "It’s hard being an outlier but we all experience it at some point. You know when it’s time to quit, no need for torturing yourself."

Indeedy, Lori - I just read your review and though it was excellent by the way & good to see another friend have a great experience with this one!!

Marialyce (absltmom, yaya) wrote: "I couldn't finish this one either."

Onya, Marialyce - great minds!!! hahaha.

Lorna wrote: "Oh Mark, you gave it a yeoman’s effort. Some of us loved it, others not so much. I love the diversity of your reading!"

Thanks so much for your kind words there Lorna, in fact I started reading a Murakami last night, and it all feels snug and comfortable to be back in a happy place. I will have to steal your wonderful comment "Yeoman's effort" I haven't heard that one before, so thank you! Great to see you gave this a big 5 stars, I also enjoyed your review - nice one!

"I wonder if it would have been better if the narrator was the all knowing 3rd person? What do you think?"

Markus, I think maybe 3rd person and some serious page snipping might have elevated it more for me. That and Richard Armitage. Sigh... :D

I am on chapter 45. Slogging my way through. Wish I had given up at page 150, but now I have invested so much time in it, I at least need it to count for my Goodreads challenge (50 books).

Update: I finished, and you didn't miss a thing.

Mark wrote: "Anne wrote: "Hey pal. I happened to love this book but plenty of GR friends did not. Hope you've moved on to something fantastic."

Yes, great to see another friend give this a blistering 5 stars A..."

Which Murakami is Marko?!! I'm reading Murakami too 🤗

Thanks so much for your kind words there Lorna, in fact I started reading a Murakami last night, and it all feels snug and comfortable to be back in a happy place. I will have to steal your wonderful comment "Yeoman's effort" I haven't heard that one before, so thank you! Great to see you gave this a big 5 stars, I also enjoyed your review - nice one!

Mark, I am happy that you are in your happy place and snug and comfortable with Mr. Murakami. I have only read Commendatore but I loved it and have added several to my TBR.

Mark wrote: "Nilanjana wrote: "ahahahaha Mark, this line made me laugh so much--->

"The thought of proceeding with this one filled me with dread. "

especially when I imagined you utter that line! XD"

Now lis..."

: D

Mark wrote: "Javier wrote: "If time is money, you've proved the saying wrong and prospered by having quit, Mark. I enjoyed the Poisonwood Bible. I recommend it if you're forgiving enough to give Barbara Kingsol..."

Mark wrote: "Javier wrote: "If time is money, you've proved the saying wrong and prospered by having quit, Mark. I enjoyed the Poisonwood Bible. I recommend it if you're forgiving enough to give Barbara Kingsol..."

Every heartbeat is priceless. You budget them very wisely, mi amigo!

Javier wrote: "Mark wrote: "Javier wrote: "If time is money, you've proved the saying wrong and prospered by having quit, Mark. I enjoyed the Poisonwood Bible. I recommend it if you're forgiving enough to give Ba..."

Claro - estoy de acuerdo, amigo!! jajaja :))

The more I hear of this book, the less inclined I am of picking it up. Better to DNF than feel sick at the thought of picking it up. I have DNF’d two already this year. Hope your next one is better.

I had to laugh when you mentioned reason #1! I wasn’t quite at dread, but I was yawning a lot. Great review, Mark!

Antoinette wrote: "The more I hear of this book, the less inclined I am of picking it up. Better to DNF than feel sick at the thought of picking it up. I have DNF’d two already this year. Hope your next one is better."

Mmmmmm........just thinking about this effort makes me feel a bit sad Antoinette - hahahaha :(

Terry wrote: "I had to laugh when you mentioned reason #1! I wasn’t quite at dread, but I was yawning a lot. Great review, Mark!"

Laughing is always the best when it's at the expense of some other poor person hey Terry? Well this was soporific in the extreme - who needs medication, at least you had the moral fibre to persist - thank you!!

Mark. Yes indeed. A snoozefest for me.
Glad your next book was better.

It makes sense to cut one's losses, Mark. Smart to move on when a book fills you with dread. Incidentally, there are other readers who bailed too. I will read David Copperfield instead.