Sophie's Choice, by William Styron

[Marina]

"Three stories are told: a young Southerner wants to become a writer; a turbulent love-hate affair between a brilliant Jew and a beautiful Polish woman; and of an awful wound in that woman's past--one that impels both Sophie and Nathan toward destruction."

With a rating of 4,18 I have high expectations for this book. I've only just started it, and I struggled a little in the first chapter, but I think I've found a rhytme now.
I'm not sure if I've seen the movie. Some passages seem recognizable. Well, I'll find out when I've read some more.

[Bec]

I'm reading this for a book mentioned in another book. I purchased it for my kindle a few years ago and it has taken me a while to get to it. I'm about 45% through and not enjoying it at all. I really want to give up but I've invested this much time in it already (and I paid for the book) that I'm determined to finish. I hope you are enjoying it more than I am.

[Marina]

Honestly... I've given up! I really didn't enjoy it either. I read just over 100 pages and decided that I couldn't be bothered reading another 400. It's a shame because I was actually interested in Sophie's story, but I was getting so tired of Stingo as a narrator and character.
Hats off if you make it through :-)

[Bec]

I finished it.....I was so determined to finish but let's be honest - I didn't enjoy it. Some bits did envoke emotion in me but it was long and blah. The choice she had to make was heart-breaking (and wasn't learned about until the second to last chapter or thereabouts) and the ending just sucked. This one took me from 18 April - 7 May. The longest to read any book (even 700 page books), because i just wasn't into it. Well that's 3 weeks of my life gone - from now on I'm only reading books I'm enjoying!

[Marina]

I considered giving it another chance at some point, but after reading your thoughts I think I'll just accept that this is one of those classics I'll never enjoy and shouldn't waste my time on.

I've just read a little over 500 pages in four days. I think I can honestly say, that it would have taken me at least 4 weeks to read Sophie's Choice.
I'm impressed that you didn't give up. Great job!

[Jody]

I thought I wanted to read this book, but now I'm not so sure. I know about the choice that she has to make (thanks, pop culture), so I'm now wondering if there's any point to reading the book?

[Marina]

Jody wrote: "I thought I wanted to read this book, but now I'm not so sure. I know about the choice that she has to make (thanks, pop culture), so I'm now wondering if there's any point to reading the book?"

Well, since I never finished it, I guess I can't answer your question, but I wouldn't bother reading it. I've given up as in totally given up on it. There are so many wonderful books to read, and the thought of reading those first 100 pages again makes me really tired!!
But who knows... You might enjoy it.

[Barbara]

Jody wrote: "I thought I wanted to read this book, but now I'm not so sure. I know about the choice that she has to make (thanks, pop culture), so I'm now wondering if there's any point to reading the book?"

I read this one when I was 11 and I thought "what a trash!"
When I told my professor that I hated it she almost had a heart attack and told me I should read it again 10 years later.

So, when I was 21 I asked my aunt (who is a professor and psychologist) that I had to re-read it. And she told me "Don't do it! That book is a trash!"

LOL