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The Story Of The Eye by Bataille. Hands down, forever. I've read some gory books, I've read some erotica. I've never been so disgusted or seen so little merit in a book in my life.
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Hands down, forever. I've read some gory books, I've read some erotica. I've never been so disgusted or seen so little merit in a book in my life."
Yes, that is my answer too. One of the most repulsive books I have ever read
I wish my rating system was a little more consistent because the book I feel I hated reading the most was a two star read, while I have some others that didn't seem quite as bad as one star.However, based on my recollection, I'm going with A Confederacy of Dunces. I don't recollect liking a single thing about the book, nor did I think it was funny. And it used dialect which I hate. And the sin above all sins for me, it was breathtakingly boring.
Personally I am going for these, I am sure there are more I disliked as much but I can't remember them right now
Story of the Eye
Crash
The Piano Teacher
Story of O
Story of the Eye
Crash
The Piano Teacher
Story of O
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Story of the Eye
Crash
The Piano Teacher
Story of O"
I haven't read the last one but I agree with the top three
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I agree. Crash was brilliantly written and the subject matter while distasteful to me was making a point. I didn't enjoy reading it at all but could see its merit
I disliked The Red and the Black by Stendahl, but I have to say it's because I read it in high school in French. I doubly didn't understand it. I suspect I'd like it better now in English, but I'm not sure. I didn't like the characters at all.
The only one mentioned so far that I read is The Story of O, and that is the one I disliked the most. Not only for the subject matter, but also for the way the story is told.
I have read so few from the list (47 to date, I think), so have yet to experience the not so good ones. So far, I have liked most of them:) But of course, I have no intention of reading all of them, many of them does not interest me. One I remember not liking when I read it many years ago, was 'Vernon God Little'. I didn't quite get the humour, but I always thought I was too young when I read it, so am thinking about giving it a second chance now for the summer road trip. I also found my first book for the road trip, 'At the mountains of madness' incredebly boring.
Oh, and I know now that 'The Story of O' is not going on my TBR any time soon, so thanks!
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But of course, I have no intention of reading all of th..."
That was a BOTM several years ago (I think). I disliked it too. I don't love dark humor/satire so the style wasn't my favorite. 47 isn't bad and it will give you plenty of options as we vote each month 😊. Glad you haven't run into any terrible ones yet.
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How is it told? I haven't read it.
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Interesting! I have a few I read I school that I dislike them when I read them again as an adult I liked them (the great Gatsby).
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Howev..."
Ugh, I hated that book. It's an interesting one because I also know lots of people who loved it.
Jen wrote: "Anita wrote: "I wish my rating system was a little more consistent because the book I feel I hated reading the most was a two star read, while I have some others that didn't seem quite as bad as on..."Glad it wasn't just me! I feel fortunate that I haven't read any of the others that have appeared here so far. Now I know what to avoid!
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I also hated The Afternoon of a Writer for entirely different reasons. It wasn't repulsive or disgusting or distasteful. It was dull and while short, I found each page to be excruciatingly boring. I had to give myself pep talks just to make it through 2 pages at a time. I read a few of his other books which I didn't like too much either (although slightly more than this one).
Jen wrote: "My least favorite book was Story of the Eye. Tracy warned me about it but I thought, "how bad could it be." It was terrible. I hated it b/c I found it repulsive and with little point ..."Lol, I hate books where I have to give myself a pep talk to read it . . .that's never good!
Jen wrote: "Sushicat wrote: "The only one mentioned so far that I read is The Story of O, and that is the one I disliked the most. Not only for the subject matter, but also for the way the story is told."How..."
Knowing the topic of the book and seeing it on this list, I expected there to be a logical development of a relationship that would make sense of things. However we are dropped into the story somewhere in the middle and it ends somewhere it would not have to end. There is an alternative beginning and end proposed. In the end I found it rather pointless.
My top 3 contenders are:Story of the Eye (worst by far)
I agree to the statements by others. This was just so over the top disgusting and repulsive. I don't understand why it has a relatively high rating (3.71).
The Breast: Repulsive and offensive book about a guy transformed into a huge breast. Made absolutely no sense to me.
Three Lives: I hated this for different reasons. I thought it was one of the worst books I have ever read in terms of writing. Also, the repetitive nature of the book drove me out of my mind.
Pnin by Vladimir Nabokov! I read this last year and was just not a fan. I felt like it was some veiled attempt at an autobiographical work but was just halting and not engaging at all. Professor Pnin is clueless and self-absorbed and lonely, but you don't particularly feel sorry for him. When he loses his tenure at the end, you are just left wondering, how did he not see this coming?
Diane wrote: "My top 3 contenders are:Story of the Eye (worst by far)
I agree to the statements by others. This was just so over the top disgusting and repulsive. I don't understand why it has a ..."
OMG on The Breast. That sounds terrible, but your description is hilarious.
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Story of the Eye (worst by far)
I agree to the statements by others. This was just so over the top disgusting and repulsive. I don't understand why it has a ..."
I have a love-hate relationship with Roth's books. Haven't read the one you mentioned. I really disliked Portnoy's complaint but liked American Pastoral. This one would probably fall in the hate side for me too
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interesting, my book twin (Tracy) gave it 4 stars so I suspect I may like it. I've never read any of his books, shame on me but I find the subject matter of Lolita has decreased my interest in wanting to read it.
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I actually really liked Grimus. I was probably one of the few in this group who liked it. Tin Drum was pretty unpleasant to read but I also ultimately liked that one too because I thought it was clever.
I did like Pnin- I felt for him. It was like he was that kid who gets lapped by everyone else in the mile race on the track. Except he was getting lapped in academia. Grimus was good, but not my favorite Rushdie. And I liked The Tin Drum, though it's been so long ago that I read it, I don't remember why.
I also have a love hate going with Roth. His earliest books, like The Breast- bah. But his later stuff I've loved so far, and not just his list books. Indignation and The Humbling were very good (and short!)
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Kristel I would agree with you. One was enough.
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Diane: I've read a lot of the Beckett's and have more on my shelf to try and get through. What a drudge.
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As much as I hated Henderson it doesn't compare to some of the worst I've read and I've liked some of Beloow's work
Naked Lunch by Burroughs. It just got weird, gross and explicit. I had to stop.
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I liked Burroughs Junkie, but I've heard nothing good about Naked Lunch.
Kristel wrote: "Amie wrote: "Naked Lunch by Burroughs. It just got weird, gross and explicit. I had to stop."I liked Burroughs Junkie, but I've heard nothing good about Naked Lunch."
I remember you saying you liked Junkie, so I'm unsure if I should try any of the other 3 on the list.
Wild Boys by Burroughs is horrible. I forgot about that one.
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I've heard that about the book. Not looking forward to it.
I liked Queer by Burroughs. I've tried to read Naked Lunch a few times, but set it aside- I think I had other, more pressing reading to do.
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Titus Groan was the worst. Stranger in a Strange Land, Grimus, At the Mountains of Madness and Neuromancer were also all awful. And Three Lives too.
Jen wrote: "Connie wrote: "I disliked The Red and the Black by Stendahl, but I have to say it's because I read it in high school in French. I doubly didn't understand it. I suspect I'd like it better now in En..."Yes, I may like The Red and the Black as an adult. I should probably give The Great Gatsby a try again too. :-)
Reading 1001
Books mentioned in this topic
The Humbling (other topics)Indignation (other topics)
Pnin (other topics)
Story of the Eye (other topics)
Story of the Eye (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Vladimir Nabokov (other topics)Vladimir Nabokov (other topics)
To get the point you must respond by end of day Saturday of the appropriate week (this week it will be by Saturday July 29). New question will be posted every monday. Here's the question.
Which book is your least favorite book (or one of your least favorites) on the list and why?