what to do if you hate the book?

[Asta]

I would like to see 1984 become a movie

[Lisa]

Asta wrote: "I would like to see 1984 become a movie"

Ooooo! That would be interesting.

[Buck]

Asta wrote: "I would like to see 1984 become a movie"
There has been at least one 1984 movie. It had John Hurt as Winston Smith and Richard Burton as O'Brien. It wasn't particularly good, IMO. I think there might also have been one earlier.

[Lisa]

Buck wrote: "Asta wrote: "I would like to see 1984 become a movie"
There has been at least one 1984 movie. It had John Hurt as Winston Smith and Richard Burton as O'Brien. It wasn't particularly good, IMO. I..."

Have you seen equilibrium, it's was very similar

[Buck]

Lisa wrote: "Have you seen equilibrium, it's was very similar "

Not aware of it

[Lisa]

If I hate a book...
I usually finish books that I dislike. But absolute rubbish will not be tolerated. I struggle with hyped up books. In around 2004-2005, everybody was reading and talking about the Da Vinci code. Not only did I find the plot transparent, but I spotted the villain. I read the entire book trying to figure out why my group of friends (including the guy I later married) insisted that it was 'The Best Book Ever'. Since then, I'm wary of hype. I usually get a free sample on my kindle first and check it out.
On this list, I disliked Huck Finn and One Flew Over the Cuckoos nest. I'm also not a fan of Dickens

[Lisa]

Steve wrote: "Psychotic wrote: "I didn't like Great gatsby either!!!"

My son told me that same thing today, and I nearly slapped him!!!!! Maybe its a generational thing? Although I dont know your age so, that..."

The best I ever heard was a girl one of my brothers dated. She claimed to be a LOTR devotee. Saw all the movies several times. When I asked what she thought about the deviations from the book:"It's based on a book? Are you sure?"
Thankfully, even my brother was horrified.

[Subramanian]

Austenlove wrote: "Unfortunately I really disliked (I rarely hate books) The Great Gatsby. And I'm so sad about it, because I heard so many good opinions about this book that I really hoped I would love it and read i..."

Very true.

[Subramanian]

The alchemist by Paulo Coelho receives only positive comments. But I hated it and I was glad when I was done with the book. Another book that many people love is My experiments with truth by M.K. Gandhi. I didn't like that book too. I share Austenlove's views on reading. So what if we do not like a book that everybody else in the world does?

[Lisa]

Austenlove wrote: "Unfortunately I really disliked (I rarely hate books) The Great Gatsby. And I'm so sad about it, because I heard so many good opinions about this book that I really hoped I would love it and read i..."

It's true that we all have different taste.
Austenlove, that's how I feel about Dickens, I want to love his work but wind up being disappointed then question myself.

[Fidan]

Just don't think and forget about it :)))

[Joy]

I hated Catch-22 and finally gave it up. I still counted it as "read" since I suffered through more than half. It was just weighing me down.

[Meghan]

Joy- Im there with you on Catch-22. We read this book for book club and i ended up marking it read but could not finish. The rest of book club felt the same.

[Meghan]

I very rarely put a book down, even if Im struggling I still get curious about the rest of the story. I read the entire Great Gatsby and had no idea what was going on or anything. I should have put it down but want to see the movie so i suffered through the book. Maybe I can understand the book better after I watch the movie.

[Tianna]

I find I struggle to read books at the best of times (because I have such a short attention span and find myself constantly beginning a new book and never continuing on from there except perhaps a year later) so if I hate a book, that's it for me. If I have to read it for school, I find that there'll be some way to get through it, but that generally includes finding chapter summaries on SparkNotes or something (this was last year, my fellow book-readers, do not fret).
But for the most part, I barely get through any of a book I don't like. Especially if I can't understand it.

[Donna]

Tianna, I think everyone has those books which are difficult to get through. Right now, I am trying to read Crime and Punishment. I'm usually a person who can fly through books. This one is difficult. However, I think I need to read C&P to expand beyond my comfort zone of American and British authors. Working on my master's in English Literature, I had to read books that I didn't like and didn't want to read.
All of that to say that it doesn't matter if you struggle--just keep at it. Push through the books you don't like; you may find that, in the end, you've learned something or even have found a book you do like. Happy Reading!

[Regena]

I agree with Donna! I recently struggled through One Hundred Years of Solitude, taking so many breaks to read all I could about the book to try to understand the author's perspective that I felt as if I read more ON the book than FROM the book! But by the end I began to have a grudging appreciation for what the author was trying to accomplish, and I am STILL thinking about it....

Regena

[Desiree]

I reccomend getting the audio book There are some books that are easier to get through if you listen to them then they are if you try and read them.

[Ghaida]

I was having a hard time with "les miserables" (i think it's the right name), which i told my friend, and she told me "the worst thing to do is to force yourself to read a book". So if you hate it , don't read it. It's not a big deal, and I recommend that if you started a book take your time but not for so long, because you would hate it out of bore even if you thought it would be great.

[Joy]

I think Les Mis is especially hard for a few reasons:

1. There is a ton of background information which doesn't seem to have much to do with the main story line. A lot of this is long and tedious

2. Most of us will be reading a translation. The wrong translator can change beautiful writing to mere words on a page. I personally enjoyed an English translation by Julie Rose, but others didn't.

3. The sheer length of this book is daunting.

Personally I found this one to be worth the time and effort. I listened to an audio version read by George Guidall who is a fabulous narrator. And I had a deadline because the new movie with Anne Hathaway was coming out and I wanted to finish the book first.

With other long books I have sometimes given an hour or two a week to the story. That is how I got through War and Peace. This summer I am actually doing that with a shorter book, Divine Comedy. For Divine Comedy I have also downloaded a lecture series from Great Courses. This was recommended to me when I mentioned that I was having trouble with the book. Now I am looking forward to a book that I initially found tedious.

[ROBERT]

I used to have an unwritten rule that I would finish a book if I started it, even if I skimmed it.

Main Street by Upton Sinclair was an example. I starting skimming half way through it because it was due back on at the library in a day or so and I found that it was a great book and I had blown it.

That is an exception though. If a book does not trigger my interest in the first 50 pages or so, I set it aside because there are too many good books out there for me to turn my reading time into a struggle.

Cloud Atlas was one that I struggled with but something about it kept me going and it was a great book. Don Delilo books I have tried a number of times but I rarely finish them. I keep trying though because I can tell that he is a great writer.

[Donna]

Robert wrote: "I used to have an unwritten rule that I would finish a book if I started it, even if I skimmed it.

Main Street by Upton Sinclair was an example. I starting skimming half way through it because it ..."
I follow the same rule. I'm struggling through Crime and Punishment right now. I'm 49% finished.
Have you tried White Noise? I had to read it for a contemporary fiction class, and I liked it so much, I wrote my semester paper about it. I found many parallels between this book and the Holocaust. Give it a try.

[Jade]

I find that putting down a book for a while, reading another, or even two more as a "break", helps.
Started A Little Life recently; managed to get to page 145 circa and then had to take a break from it. Too heavy, filled with gloomy recounts of one protagonist's horrible self-loathe and youth. I read books to amuse myself; I like biographies and fictions and novelines. Happens sometimes that a bit of sadness appears, but this plot, boys.... hard to digest.
So I take a "cookie" :) meaning I read a cheerful other, some happy ever after, or a mystery.

Hopefully, will to pick it up again will overcome me. As of now I am reading The Lake House and my faith in life has been restored LOL :))

[ROBERT]

Donna wrote: "Robert wrote: "I used to have an unwritten rule that I would finish a book if I started it, even if I skimmed it.

Main Street by Upton Sinclair was an example. I starting skimming half way through..."

Donna wrote: "Robert wrote: "I used to have an unwritten rule that I would finish a book if I st

Okay, you now have given me another Delilo book that I will probably try. I was unable to finish Underworld or Names. I finished Body Artist because it was short so I could skim it and say I finished one.

I hear Mao and White Noise are his best. Not sure why I can't finish them. Maybe its because the books are about characters who struggle with the unease of being alive it seems and I stop before I see a plot let alone some resolution.

[[deleted user]]

Robert wrote: "I used to have an unwritten rule that I would finish a book if I started it, even if I skimmed it.

Main Street by Upton Sinclair was an example. I starting skimming half way through it because it ..."

Jade wrote: "I find that putting down a book for a while, reading another, or even two more as a "break", helps.
Started A Little Life recently; managed to get to page 145 circa and then had to ..."

I follow that rule as I think if an author made the effort to write a book then I can make the effort to read it, although some books go beyond the pale for me. 'Dante's Inferno' was one for me, I never really understood it from start to finish, I struggled with that.

I'm currently reading Ulysses by James Joyce, (I know I'm a glutton for punishment). I also do what Jade does and read other books at the same time just to give my brain a rest. However, I have now disciplined myself into reading a half hour of Ulysses each day. I may reach the end sometime this year :)

[Jade]

Christine wrote: "Robert wrote: "I used to have an unwritten rule that I would finish a book if I started it, even if I skimmed it.

Main Street by Upton Sinclair was an example. I starting skimming half way through..."

Glutton for punishment? Dante has taught you a thing or two then, LOL :)
I hope it'll comfort you to know, Robert, that many an Italian do not understand Dante and even less the Divina Commedia.
It's written in "vulgar florentine", the vernacolo, in hendecasyllable triplet "chained" verses.
Basically, almost impossible to be understood :))
He was so good at our language that must have decided to show off at some point of his life. We had to study it a school (secondary) and it was agony for most of us; kudos to you for having attempted and managed as you did.

Ulysses must be nice. I had to study the Odyssee too at school and loved it.

[Michael]

I say just drop it. It's not worth the time and energy when there are so many other things you could be enjoying. Of course it's different if it's required reading for a student. Happily I'm not in that position anymore.

[Joy]

I like Jade's idea of putting a book down and going back to it. Honestly if I had to like a book in the first 50 or even 100 pages to finish I would not have finished many classics. But there are a few books and authors I will not attempt again unless I have a compelling reason. (Faulkner comes to mind.)

[Carol]

Used to just tough it out and read it. Now I try to give it a sporting try. Since I hit the other side of 50, I'm being a little more selective. So many books, so little time.

[Diane]

After reading all comments, I decided to put my thoughts in one post. I have always finished what was required for school, like it or not. Sometimes what you find dull at first becomes interesting. I also think it helps to expand our horizons and read some literature that we are not accustomed to or don't find particularly thrilling, especially when young. But having said that, now that I am also 50+, I don't like spending my time on what I absolutely do not like when there are so many books out there left to read. Here are my comments on some that I have read and some I did not finish.
1. Brave New World--listened to the first 30+ minutes of audio. Who is the main character here? I know the book is about a dystopian future, but who or what is the protagonist? Quit listening. (liked 1984 more)
2. Les Miserables--finished this book, but maybe because I had already seen the movie. Hugo does get off the main plot a lot and rambles on about French history, but the book is worthwhile and includes many scenes and explanations that are not in the movie. Hint: If you bog down in details or history, "cheat" a little and skip over it. I also read online notes in addition to the book to make sure I understood what was happening. This took a really long time to finish, and though I enjoyed it, I kept thinking about all of the other books (plural) I could have read that summer.
3. Portrait of An Artist by Joyce--read this book because was required in college. I did not really enjoy, mainly because I had a hard time understanding what was going on in the character's (or the author's) head. If you want an example of "stream of consciousness," then this is it.
4. Anna Karennina--also listened to this (on 17 audio tapes!). I might not have been able to finish if it had not been audio and if I did not have the driving time. However, it was an enjoyable book, except for the ending, which was understandable but sad. I wish the book had stopped a few chapters earlier.
5. Great Gatsby--have read 2-3 times. I disliked this book in high school, maybe because I could not identify with the main character or the time period. (Movies help some with this.) I thought that Gatsby was foolish for throwing his life away on an undeserving woman. Since then I have read the book along with my students. I understand and enjoy it more now. I asked one of my students who read it on his own if he liked the book, and he said that he did. I told him about my high school opinion of Gatsby, and he said "But, Mrs. XXXX, it is about the power of love." His comment surprised me, but perhaps I had overlooked the fact that although sometimes foolish, love is a powerful force.
6. Hemingway--have only read The Old Man and the Sea (which I liked) and some short stories (don't care for them). Hemingway is way too macho for me, although his words are fairly easy to read. I need to give him another chance with some other novels.
7. Catch-22--agree with those who can't stand this book. It could be that I do not like war stories, but I have read better. I did finish though because required for school.
8. Catcher in the Rye--did not like. Most people rave about the book, but I had a hard time identifying with or feeling empathy with the main character. He seemed like a spoiled rich kid who goes on a wild spree. Why should I feel pity for someone like that? (Reminds me of movie "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" which is funny, but also silly). Teenagers trying to find themselves are ok (like in The Outsiders, although not as sophisticated a book), but I have to feel for the characters.
So, I think the overall point is to try to expose ourselves to adventures and ideas beyond our own sphere, but not to waste our time reading or doing what we do not enjoy.

[George]

I hated "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. Really disturbing. I dont like the way he wrote it either.

[Diane]

I also have to add that although I like Faulkner, I did not enjoy As I Lay Dying (which I don't think is on this list). Besides being somewhat morbid and funny at the same time, the plot and whole idea for the book is odd but boring (at least to me). I liked that Faulkner experimented with different narrators for each chapter, similar to a technique in The Sound and the Fury (a book I may not have totally understood and may need to read again).

[Jade]

Asta wrote: "I would like to see 1984 become a movie"

They made a movie of it, watched it not long ago on telly :)
It was actually very good!

[Jade]

I tend to hate when authors are "guiding" the readers too much, you know, when they write about the thoughts of a character, instead of bringing it to life by their interaction with others in the plot. It's like patronising someone about what they should see and what not; prefer when we are let to make our mind up based on actions and dialogues. Then maybe get surprised at last, discovering they are not what we thought.

Gatsby left a bitter taste in my mouth: so driven by love to lose his mind and in the end, life even. Seemed too unfair, given what he had been through and the fact he was never loved by Daisy.
Cunning woman, weak and spoiled and empty of any empathy. Totally unable to love anyone else but herself; I kept wondering what did he see in her, aside her beauty, to make him fall so hard.

I don't think that was love, more an obsession. Gatsby wanted Daisy to be what she was not and nothing he saw of her made him budge. He was clinging onto his dream of her, refusing to acknowledge reality. Sad and yes, the power of love which include obsession and denial. The plot was an eye opener for me.

[Diane]

You make a great point that Gatsby may have had more of an obsession than love for Daisy. What do other people think?

[Lindsay]

Diane wrote: "You make a great point that Gatsby may have had more of an obsession than love for Daisy. What do other people think?"

It would have to be an obsession because there is nothing about Daisy to love. She is awful and I can't think of any good reason that Gatsby would love her except that he was in love with idea of her. He'd built her up in his mind so much that he was unable to see her for who she actually was.

[Jade]

Lindsay wrote: "Diane wrote: "You make a great point that Gatsby may have had more of an obsession than love for Daisy. What do other people think?"

It would have to be an obsession because there is nothing about..."

Wholeheartedly agree about Daisy: she's despicable, shallow, selfish. On the side of egomania. To me Gatsby was in love with the idea of her; he refused to acknowledge who she really was.

[Diane]

Jade wrote: "Lindsay wrote: "Diane wrote: "You make a great point that Gatsby may have had more of an obsession than love for Daisy. What do other people think?"

It would have to be an obsession because there ..."

Well put!

[Joy]

Pretty much all the Gatsby characters, except possibly the narrator, were so shallow and thoughtless they almost seemed cartoonish to me. I agree that what they called love wasn't love, because they were incapable of love.

[Emily]

I hated reading the bell jar with such a passion I had to stop myself and re group and a month or so later I picked it up again and kind of fell in love with it. Now I'm a uni (college) I studied plaths poetry and it's just brilliant.... I felt that after looking into why and when and how the author wrote the book, can sometimes really help with trying to not hate a book.

[Diane]

Emily, were you required to read The Bell Jar or just decided to? I finally got around to reading it. I have to admit, it can be very depressing, but also fascinating in a way because it is very close to being Plath's autobiography. Even though I knew vaguely about her, I felt the need to read exactly what happened in her life. This was especially true because the book leaves the reader hanging somewhat and leans toward optimism. Now that you have finished the book, you may want to read about her actual life.

[Emily]

I chose to read it the second time around because I refuse to hate a book. And yes I completely agree with your opinion of the ending you hope for optimism, have you read her poetry?? If not I suggest you do. It's really quite intriguing, read as well ted Hughes work (considering they were married I feel some of their work has each other in it)

[Diane]

I have read some of her poetry, which can be quite depressing and angry. Her autobiographical novel, to me, is more interesting. I really have not read poetry by Ted Hughes. What I have read about their marriage and breakup is quite interesting.

[biblio-empire]

I also raise my hand to not caring for The Great Gatsby or Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist (<--it aggravates me just thinking about this one in particular).
I think the most important thing is to understand why you didn't enjoy the book, and move on (that way if someone corners you for not liking their favorite masterpiece, you at least have an answer). In the case of wanting to quit halfway, I say do it. To quote a wise woman, "ain't nobody got time fo' that!"

Personally I never encountered a problem from quitting books halfway as a student -- if I just couldn't bring myself to finishing it, I would Shmoop or Cliffnote the reading and make ado. Bad but practical advice.

[William]

There are times where I'm not really enjoying a book, but like some of your have said, I usually try to push through. I try not to fully abandon a books, but if it gets really bad, I will usually try to put the book down for a bit and then come back to it.

Strangely enough I also find that the setting in which I'm reading has a pretty big impact on my reading time. Something to do with the mental space attached to reading for me. A change of venue might help this issue.

[Donna]

I usually finish what I start unless I find the subject matter becomes too violent or too sexual or too boring. With "classics," I try to push through. I am so proud of myself that, after fifteen months, I finally finished Crime and Punishment. I'm not a big fan of 19th century Russians, in general, but C&P is a book that I needed to read. I now have Anna Karenina waiting to be read. Solzhenitsyn is the exception. I love his books! And the short stories of Sholem Aleichem. Who doesn't love Tevye!