The Most Overrated Books Showing 4,951-5,000 of 5,680

[Kallie]

Khrushchev was a liberal compared to Stalin.

[Monty J]

Kallie wrote: "Khrushchev was a liberal compared to Stalin."

Yup.

[Kallie]

Cemre wrote: "For the symbolism with names, Holden sounds a little bit like hold on. Salinger seems to like his symbols. Mummies are also symbolic for example. Allie himself is a giant big symbol.
I didn't unde..."

For some reason I think of that as not so unusual here -- people, especially young people, getting attached to a particular garment or style and wearing that a lot and being identified with it.

[Monty J]

Cemre wrote: "Allie himself is a giant big symbol."

What IS the symbolism thing with Allie?

(Other than what we've discussed, the death of innocence.)

[Heidi]

Kallie wrote: "Cemre wrote: "For the symbolism with names, Holden sounds a little bit like hold on. Salinger seems to like his symbols. Mummies are also symbolic for example. Allie himself is a giant big symbol.
..."

Mentioning Allie made Holden seem more human. You can only play the angsty teenage role for so long without having a reason for it. I could forgive Holden's negative attitude - it's hard to lose a sibling, regardless of age.

[Renee E]

Heidi wrote: "You can only play the angsty teenage role for so long without having a reason for it."

Not if you're a teenage girl ;-)

[Renee E]

Heidi wrote: "You can only play the angsty teenage role for so long without having a reason for it."

Not if you're a teenage girl ;-)

[Kallie]

I think Allie's loss was a loss of important emotional support and also that Holden was grieving because he really loved his brother. Angst is normal for anyone under those circumstances. Salinger appreciated that; the Allie 'thing' was not just employed as a gimmick to make Holden sympathetic.

[Nick]

This sounds like the hipster effect, to name books that one considers overrated because they are popular in worldwide culture. It's all subjective, as with anything, but I would prefer the OP (or others who agree) to name WHY they believe a work is overrated, rather than just assimilating by agreeing viewpoints.

[Stephen]

Nick wrote: "This sounds like the hipster effect, to name books that one considers overrated because they are popular in worldwide culture. It's all subjective, as with anything, but I would prefer the OP (or o..."

Yeah. I understand your hipster point. I also think it's a shame that some readers don't read out of their comfort-familiarity zone, but, then not all readers have a undergrad. degree in English. As it is with music, you're right it's subjective. Reading critiques about why some bookstore's Top 30 titles are over-rated would be important as I feel the gamut from 'best' to 'worst' needs criticism.

Cheers,

[Renee E]

Stephen wrote: "Yeah. I understand your hipster point. I also think it's a shame that some readers don't read out of their comfort-familiarity zone, but, then not all readers have a undergrad. degree in English. ..."

So, readers without some sort of degree in English . . . Seriously?

That's the kind of offhand remark that gets all English major types tagged as elitist . . . and their lists of canonical books "overrated."

[Karen]

Renee wrote: "Stephen wrote: "Yeah. I understand your hipster point. I also think it's a shame that some readers don't read out of their comfort-familiarity zone, but, then not all readers have a undergrad. degr..."

Yep. Ugh- it's like saying you can't distinguish good music from bad unless you are a musician.

[Kallie]

Approaching a graduate degree I can say I've met too many fellow students who don't care to read. Why are they there? Who knows. To get the degree I guess but not to learn, not really, let alone read out of their comfort-familiarity zone.

[Stephen]

Renee wrote: "Stephen wrote: "Yeah. I understand your hipster point. I also think it's a shame that some readers don't read out of their comfort-familiarity zone, but, then not all readers have a undergrad. degr..."

Renee wrote: "Stephen wrote: "Yeah. I understand your hipster point. I also think it's a shame that some readers don't read out of their comfort-familiarity zone, but, then not all readers have a undergrad. degr..."


Aahhh! No, I didn't mean it like that. Can we agree that there are specific elements in literature/literary texts that 'pop' fiction does not use or address? It's too easy to say there's no accounting for taste. I can't read music, but can I say that record sales does not make Nicki Minaj good music? Can I say that I've listened to a vast amount of music and that b/c of this I can state. . .wait---I'm sorry. I'm off topic for this thread. I'm sorry, I won't respond to this anymore.

[Renee E]

Okay, got those first two statements — make that three, Stephen. :-)

The rest of it . . . well, it comes perilously close to an "I don't like it so it's not good" statement, one of those we're all better off if we stop talking after the first phrase, simply, "I don't like it."

It's perfectly fine to not like something. Or to feel, personally, that something is overrated, to ask what all the hype's about, etc. Doesn't negate the quality of whatever the subject might be, just defines your (general you) perception.

Or sometimes points out that the Emperor's not wearing any clothes.

And that's one thing that makes a conversation.

[Nick]

Renee wrote: "Okay, got those first two statements — make that three, Stephen. :-)

The rest of it . . . well, it comes perilously close to an "I don't like it so it's not good" statement, one of those we're all..."

I believe that different books garner different thoughts, and not everyone reads or sees or hears anything the same exact way. That is what makes us individuals, after all. I probably took something out of "The Great Gatsby" that someone else never conjured, and that's OK. And authors want that kind of self evaluation to be performed when reading their work. Staring at the Mona Lisa will get the same effect.

But as you described, it's about starting a conversation and letting it further develop into one of substance.

[Karen]

Nick wrote: "Renee wrote: "Okay, got those first two statements — make that three, Stephen. :-)

The rest of it . . . well, it comes perilously close to an "I don't like it so it's not good" statement, one of t..."

I hate the Mona Lisa

[E.D.]

Better to be misunderstood than ignored.

[Renee E]

E.D. wrote: "Better to be misunderstood than ignored."

Nah, ignored leads to much less . . . crap that I don't need or want.

[E.D.]

Renee wrote: "E.D. wrote: "Better to be misunderstood than ignored."

Nah, ignored leads to much less . . . crap that I don't need or want."

I can misunderstand that. :}

[Stephen]

E.D. wrote: "Better to be misunderstood than ignored."

Hear, hear.

[Stephen]

Karen wrote: "Nick wrote: "Renee wrote: "Okay, got those first two statements — make that three, Stephen. :-)

The rest of it . . . well, it comes perilously close to an "I don't like it so it's not good" statem..."

Me too.

[Kallie]

Renee wrote: "E.D. wrote: "Better to be misunderstood than ignored."

Nah, ignored leads to much less . . . crap that I don't need or want."

Agreed, Renee. I'd much rather be ignored.

[E.D.]

I'm simply not understanding why one states they prefer to be ignored rather than misunderstood.

Should I ignore you? How would you know if I did?

Although..., I don't see how that's possible at this point, since you've already made (and I've read) your statement. Perhaps, I've misunderstood you.

Then again....... :}

[Karen]

I would rather be misunderstood, so then I could correct people, I will not be ignored- well, I don't mind being ignored by some!

[S.W.]

If you can't understand my silence, then how can you understand my words?

[Steve]

deleted user wrote: "Which books do you think are overrated?

Here's a quick sampling from various internet sites that recommend skipping these:
The Catcher in the Rye
Moby Dick
The Great Gatsby
Waiting for Godot
The..."

all of mine! ...no wait ...that's un-rated ... ignore

[Renee E]

Karen wrote: "I would rather be misunderstood, so then I could correct people, I will not be ignored- well, I don't mind being ignored by some!"

Out here in the world I live in, very few people are going to listen when you try to clear up what they've misunderstood. They've already made their minds up; they know what you meant far better than you do. And they don't care. They like their version, being right, more than the real truth. Or projecting what THEY would mean. Starting with family.

So yeah, for me, being ignored is a helluva lot less loud drama.

[Kallie]

Renee wrote: "Karen wrote: "I would rather be misunderstood, so then I could correct people, I will not be ignored- well, I don't mind being ignored by some!"

Out here in the world I live in, very few people ar..."

Yep. No dialogue leading to understanding wanted, with those who willfully misunderstand.

[E.D.]

Now I'm understandably upset that I understand I have no understanding of that which I understood.

I ignore myself in silence. :}

[E.D.]

:}

[Karen]

E.D. wrote: "Now I'm understandably upset that I understand I have no understanding of that which I understood.

I ignore myself in silence. :}"

Hahahahaha!!!

[Sévérin]

Renee wrote: "Karen wrote: "I would rather be misunderstood, so then I could correct people, I will not be ignored- well, I don't mind being ignored by some!"

Out here in the world I live in, very few people ar..."

Shake as you will the ignoramuses and the apathetic guys, nothing good will go out of them and they will not listen to you more. They lack the ability to change their mind, once they made it up.

[Ray]

To Kill A Mockingbird is overrated

[Petergiaquinta]

Ray wrote: "To Kill A Mockingbird is overrated"

...says the guy with a KKK leader/segregationist author of a "favorite book" on his profile page.

[Karen]

Petergiaquinta wrote: "Ray wrote: "To Kill A Mockingbird is overrated"

...says the guy with a KKK leader/segregationist author of a "favorite book" on his profile page."

You are right, how disturbing.

[Karen]

Ray wrote: "To Kill A Mockingbird is overrated"

In what way is this book overrated? Please explain.

[Aamina]

twillight deco
but the rest just seem overrated to some people cos theyre classic and loads of people have read
i fell in love with the catcher in the rye
it is NOT overrated its so honest and deep
i really want to read the great gatsby

[Monty J]

Petergiaquinta wrote: "Ray wrote: "To Kill A Mockingbird is overrated"

...says the guy with a KKK leader/segregationist author of a "favorite book" on his profile page."

Good eye, Peter. Thanks for the vigilance toward bigotry.

[Renee E]

Karen wrote: "Petergiaquinta wrote: "Ray wrote: "To Kill A Mockingbird is overrated"

...says the guy with a KKK leader/segregationist author of a "favorite book" on his profile page."

You are right, how disturbing..."


Or how banal?

[Gary]

Petergiaquinta wrote: "...says the guy with a KKK leader/segregationist author of a "favorite book" on his profile page."

It also illustrates how easily misused a term like "over-rated" can be. Isn't the Bible over-rated? How about The Wealth of Nations or Origin of Species? I just couldn't get into the plot of that one... Monkey, monkey, monkey, monkey, monkey, HUMAN! That old trope.

The wingnuts of the world often co-opt language in ways that'd make Orwell cringe.

[Kallie]

Gary wrote: "Petergiaquinta wrote: "...says the guy with a KKK leader/segregationist author of a "favorite book" on his profile page."

It also illustrates how easily misused a term like "over-rated" can be. I..."

HaHa. 'Self-help' books often co-opt language and minds in horrible ways too.

And I would also like to thank Peter. Good call there.

[Gary]

The Superbowl is overrated.

[Karen]

I am in New England, so I have to listen to my husband yell during the whole game! Glad I have a reading room.

[Monty J]

Gary wrote: "The Superbowl is overrated."

Triple "Yup.!"

[Mochaspresso]

Gary wrote: "The Superbowl is overrated."


Blaspheme!

[Mochaspresso]

Ok football is done. On to college bball and brackets the bust by sweet sixteen.

[Cosmic]

Cemre wrote: "For the symbolism with names, Holden sounds a little bit like hold on. Salinger seems to like his symbols. Mummies are also symbolic for example. Allie himself is a giant big symbol.
I didn't unde..."

Hi Cemre,
Hope you don't mind me coming in late to this discussion but I would like to give you some different references in relation to The Catcher in the Rye.

I thought the name Holden also sounded like Hold-on. I wouldn't argue with this meaning at all. I think though that the name maybe an allusion and as such does not have to convey just one meaning but could have more than one.

For instance Holden is looking for or wondering where the ducks in Central Park South go. You know at Grand Army Plaza (I just hate it when they say "Grand").

But when you realize that GM (General Motors) bought the car company Holden and then turned it into a war making machine plant...well....Holden could be looking for the DUKW http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/DUKW

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

What symbol did you see in the mummies or Allies?

[Cosmic]

Cemre wrote: "For the symbolism with names, Holden sounds a little bit like hold on. Salinger seems to like his symbols. Mummies are also symbolic for example. Allie himself is a giant big symbol.
I didn't unde..."
Holden Caulfield - Hold-ing. Caul - a veil that was supposed to bring luck and keep it's possessor from drowning.

In the stock market you want to floating sink.

Holden held Phoebe -Feeble's money.

He gave her her money so she could get on a carousel that looks like a roulette wheel. The wheel of fortune, plays the song "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes". It is a confidence song. The market is a confidence game.

When there is a storm...everyone but Holden runs to the bank...I mean the stock market. But Holden just puts on the "people hunting hat". He laughs because he is going to make a killing in the war.

[Cosmic]

Monty J wrote: "Cemre wrote: "Allie himself is a giant big symbol."

What IS the symbolism thing with Allie?

(Other than what we've discussed, the death of innocence.)"

Well if you add a "s" to Allie you get Allies.


http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allies...