worst book ever! Showing 401-450 of 1,030

[Whitty]

I love non-fiction as well but really enjoy the escapism that fiction brings. I'm aware of the supposed connection between Jay Gatsby and a true master bootlegger/lawyer of that era. Thank goodness for multiple genres! There's a little something for everyone.

[Cathy]

Whitty wrote: "Huh? The Great Gatsby is one of the most technically perfect novels ever. In fact, it's exquisite! Fitzgerald's use of irony, imagery, color as symbolism, his references to TS Eliot's "The Wastelan..."

I agree

[Rick]

Is it not a shibboleth of literary authors to compose those notoriously difficult reads? There are, of course, exceptions. But who else would point their considerable talents at so uncertain a target as that of familiarizing restless readers with the vague discomforts of the idle rich? Can you seriously feature a Jacqueline Suzanne or a David Baldacci taking on such a challenge? With no disrespect to the late Ms. Suzanne or the prolific Mr. Baldacci, just how likely is it that the high school classes of 2080 will be discussing the symbolism and recondite meaning of "Once Is Not Enough" or "Total Control?"

Rick

[Joan]

Rick: About as likely as a really lengthy, hotly debated Goodreads thread about anything by Anita Loos or John Erskine.

[Rick]

Hahahahaha.... ; )

[Angela]

I loved it. I've read it probably three times. I saw the movie also. I thought it was well written. And I also saw themes in the book that relate to things happening in society today.

[Rick]

Yes, I agree.

And Robert Redford probably didn't hurt the film's attendance.

Rick

[Morgan]

I am absolutely in love with this book. Every since I read it in High School I've loved it.

[Linda]

I enjoyed The Great Gstsby, but I think top honours for worst book ever forced upon unsuspecting students is The Scarlet Letter.

[Diane]

Morgan wrote: "I am absolutely in love with this book. Every since I read it in High School I've loved it."

Me too. : )

[Greatgatsby]

This is the best book I have ever read. All the people that didn't like it probably don't understand the full depth of this masterpiece.

[Dale]

Ok The Scarlet Letter... you are right much worse than this book, but I will never say that this book is a masterpiece.

[Aubrie]

Really? I just decided to read this a few months ago with my friend, and we absolutely loved it. We weren't exactly fond of the characters themselves, but it's one of my favorite books.

[Geoffrey]

I have analyzed this book ad absurdum and understand it completely. I`ve posted those explanations repeatedly on this thread. I still don`t like the book nor do I think it merits its reputation.

[☯Emily]

Geoffrey, it's okay not to like a book. It is also okay for others to disagree and to both enjoy it and to see merit in it.

[Geoffrey]

As long as the others acknowledge the faults of the novel. Otherwise they are simply swayed by their emotional feelings, without realizing the inadequacies of the writing.

[Lily]

Geoffrey wrote: "As long as the others acknowledge the faults of the novel. Otherwise they are simply swayed by their emotional feelings, without realizing the inadequacies of the writing."

Perhaps they are swayed by the "adequacies" of the writing! It helps when we are willing to listen to each other. That includes attempting to do that with all (okay, as much as possible) that the text says.

Doesn`t he have anything good to say about people? Or are they all parasitic gaddabouts?

Is this a valid parsing of the writing of Fitzgerald, even The Great Gatsby?

[Ashley]

This is one of the best books ever written.

[Ashley]

Rea wrote: "If you are an avid book reader and lover I don't think your opinion or perceptions is compromised if you are 'forced' to read a book for school or not. There are many books I read for school that I..."


I'm a woman and I love this book. It was required reading my freshman year of high school but since then I have read it at least 5 times a year.

[Paul]

Personally, I prefer “Tender is the Night,” but I do love TGG. One of my characters, in one of my novels (Cherry Brandy)—free today and tomorrow on Kindle—does an irreverent interpretation of “The Great Gatsby” for his highschool English class.

[Dale]

I will read this book a second time in either June or July just to prove to myself what a terrible read this it. From what I recall the book was very well written from a grammatical standpoint. The problem from what I recall was due to the narrow mindedness of the writer that the story read to me promoting snobbish mentality and was a highlight to me what exactly is wrong with the world today and that is the 1% live as elitist and this books shows you just how they perceive everyone else.
Which I don't believe was the intention of Fitzgerald, if it was I just might have enjoyed the work. For me in my personal observation and understanding it comes across as dribble nonsense and I suspect that those that love this book would more than likely also hate all the other books out there that I love.

[Cameron]

Read this book in one sitting. No I dont think a story about a man who becomes a millionaire for the sole purpose of winning the heart of a flippant, conniving woman is boring. Its breathtakingly lyrical and tragic. This book is genius.

[Carina]

I have just finished reading this book. I am from the UK and as far as I am aware it is not a text we read in secondary school but I had heard of this books reputation on various forums as being a book that all teenage Americans have to read.

That was the only thing I knew about the book - I read the first chapter and was so bored I had to look up a brief synopsis, after that I then knew the era it was set in. I think I am, therefore, in a highly unbiased situation as I knew very very little.

This was by no means the worst book I have ever read, I can understand why a lot of people who are forced to read it in school would dislike it (I cannot stand Lord of the Flies for that reason). I wouldn't recomend it though, or say that the writing was amazing. Perhaps in a few years when I read it again my opinion will change but at the moment I found this book to be highly mediocre and only picked up over the last 80 pages.

[KG]

Laura-lou wrote: "does anyone agree with me that this is the worst and most boring book of all time?"

Maybe you haven't read The Old Man and The Sea by Hemmingway.... clearly the worst in my opinion.

[Ashley]

Wow, I can't believe so many don't like this book. It's a classic book. If you're forced to read it in high school you should feel lucky.

[Dale]

Kathy wrote: "Laura-lou wrote: "does anyone agree with me that this is the worst and most boring book of all time?"

Maybe you haven't read The Old Man and The Sea by Hemmingway.... clearly the worst in my opinion."

Now see... to me that is the best book ever written. I love Hemingway and in the Old Man in the Sea he shines ever so brilliantly.

[KG]

Dale wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Laura-lou wrote: "does anyone agree with me that this is the worst and most boring book of all time?"

Maybe you haven't read The Old Man and The Sea by Hemmingway.... clearly the wor..."

What can I say?? 100 people, 100 opinions *smile

[Matt]

loved it. hated in high school. loved it when i was 25. you either love this one or you dont. true for most classic literature. :(

[Dale]

Classics have a hard time competing with modern day fiction stories that is written in time with the current lusts of society.

[Ashley]

Dale wrote: "Classics have a hard time competing with modern day fiction stories that is written in time with the current lusts of society."

But that is the meaning of a classic. They have true meanings, values etc. Instead of let's read books about killing other kids and sparkley vampires. Sorry those fiction books should not have became so famous.

[Dale]

Some classics to me read with a modern style. Dickins or Twain for example. Those writers write with such a style that regardless of what their story is about it transfers easily from generation to generation.
Classics from the likes of say Fitzgerald, Austin, DeFoe are not written in such a way as to make them endearing to future generations... well at least that is my opinion. Some writers were writers for all ages and others well they are considered classics now but honestly if they were written today half of them would never even make it past a publisher.

[marquie]

i wouldn't go as far as to say that it is the worst book ever.. however it DOES strike me as a 19th century version of Gossip Girl.
I didn't find it insightful nor impressive at all................

[René]

mars wrote: "i wouldn't go as far as to say that it is the worst book ever.. however it DOES strike me as a 19th century version of Gossip Girl.
I didn't find it insightful nor impressive at all................"

Er...the 19th century ended in 1900. The Great Gatsby was published in 1925.

[Lily]

Dale wrote: "Classics have a hard time competing with modern day fiction stories that is written in time with the current lusts of society."

Well, I'd say your list of highly rated books includes a fair share of classics.

I have never considered that my liking a book is necessarily a very good criterion for its quality. I have "liked" books that are clearly inferior; there are others widely considered as great quality for which my personal rating has not been particularly high. I don't believe that gives me leeway to pan the judgments of readers and critics across a considerable span of time, usually necessary before a book is designated as a "classic." I believe that becomes time for me to ask "why" (if I care enough to bother).

[Geoffrey]

Okay so now is the time to give it some due, before I further comment on its inadequacies in future postings. No, I will not let this one die.
The unfolding of the story is brilliant as are F´s stylistic flourishes. Structurally the novel is sound and could have easily been derailed, as complex its unfolding that it is. Its degree of complexity I equate to the Orson Wells film, CITIZEN KANE. So, yes, it has marks of genius. Having said that I will let its boosters gloat over their glee at my alleged retraction and then I will heap more criticism.

[marquie]

René wrote: "mars wrote: "i wouldn't go as far as to say that it is the worst book ever.. however it DOES strike me as a 19th century version of Gossip Girl.
I didn't find it insightful nor impressive at all......"

sorry i meant the 20th century. That was a typo.

[Valerie]

I just read it last year. Not sure how I managed to avoid it in high school lit. While I wouldn't call it the worst ever, it's certainly highly overrated. After reading it, I feel like I really don't like Fitzgerald much.

[Geoffrey]

I agree heartily with both of the last two posters, and find Valerie`s point that she doesn`t like Fitzgerald much. That is my take. If I were to meet the man and learn who and what he is without discovering his achievements, I don`t believe I would like him either.
As for insight, this is what I find particularly disturbing about Fitzgerald. What he knows about human character is impressive, what he doesn`t is daunting.

[Amalia]

I love this book!!

[Deanne]

Laura-lou wrote: "does anyone agree with me that this is the worst and most boring book of all time?"

I do agree! One of the worst books I've ever read!!!

[Sandra]

I had to read it for Ap Lit and it was awful.

[Dale]

One thing is certain reading this thread. This book is polarizing as politics. People either love this thing or hate it. It would be curious to see if the love/hate relationships could be divided into other similar interests such as politcal affiliation,ethnicity,social status,etc..
It has nothing to do with intelligence that is obvious,rather, it is a book that divides on deep convictions and the passions that stir us.

[Dale]

the same with me Theresa, I read it because it was on a list somewhere as the top 100 books of all time. I have to say after hitting that particular list that I only like about 30% or so of the top rated books.

[Carina]

Dale wrote: "the same with me Theresa, I read it because it was on a list somewhere as the top 100 books of all time. I have to say after hitting that particular list that I only like about 30% or so of the top..."

Dale that is the same reason I read it - it is such a famous book in terms of those kind of lists so I figured it ought to be pretty good... when I first commented on this thread I had literally just finished it - thinking back over it now I think it may be the kind of book that if I read it again in a few years I may come to appreciate more.

[Vixen]

O_O This was actually one of the books that I didn't mind catching up in reading with in High School. I also didn't mind skipping ahead a couple chapters once I was caught up. Haha. It was the among the ones that i really didnt mind, Mice of Men being another one and then that Animal Farm. Even though it pissed me off.

Done rambling... >_>

[doug]

There is a depth to the book that makes a single reading inadequate. The depth of his characterization, themes, and images rendered in a way the I found completely mesmerizing. I can re-visit this book every few years and find some new aspect to it.

[Josh]

Laura-lou wrote: "does anyone agree with me that this is the worst and most boring book of all time?" i agree, it wasn't the worst EVER buit it WASrather suckish

[Thalia]

Wow, really? I just read this for my grade eleven English class, and I just adored it. I don't think it was fabulous, but I see why it's a classic and I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters.

I especially liked Gatsby himself. And the way he loves Daisy. I mean, it was all really sweet, especially if you knew a little about Fitzgerald's relationship with his wife, Zelda. You could see a lot of comparisons, and I really enjoyed the novel as a whole.

[Francesca]

No, Huckleberry Finn was the worst book ever. I cringe when someone just mentions that book. I actually loved the Great Gatsby. I actually wanted to name one of my cats Carroway and the other Gatsby lol.

[Thalia]

If you ask me, Of Mice and Men was the worst book ever. k wceuwevnjrhvwenk5bjgrhjk5g.