Am I the only one who hates James Patterson

[Rosi]

Nope, you're not the only person who can differentiate between the hype put out by the publishers and the reality of crapulous writing. Years ago, I bought a Patterson novel (the one about the flying kids) and found it appalling, but forced myself to read it in its entirety in the hope it might redeem itself. It did not. All I got from that experience was a lesson: "Popular" and "best selling" do not equate to "good writing" or even a decent beach read. In fact, in my opinion, the opposite seems to be almost a universal truth. The question is how did he ever get published in the first place? (And who buys his garbage so it keeps getting on best seller lists?)

[Joel]

What I can't stand about James Patterson is that the only books he writes completely on his own are those stupid How to Survive Middle School (something like that) books and the Ifunny series. Pretty much all of his young adult/adult books have a co-author and it drives me insane that's he become so popular this way.

[Fabiana]

I am currently 14 years old and used to avidly follow James Patterson and his children book collections. Re-reading his books, though, I realized that his children books are absolute bullshit. I remember enjoying “I Funny” tremendously, and laughing at the jokes in the book. Going back to the whole series, though, I was shocked to discover that I had no reason to like his books. The first book still made me laugh, but I realized that the only reason that there were sequels to his books was because of the success of the first one. What really disgusts me about the series is the lack of a consistent plot. The main character, Jamie Grimm, has about one hundred girlfriends and seems to be far too mature for his age. Patterson's attempts at romantic tension completely backfire, and his jokes become less and less funny as the story progresses. But worse than that, after Patterson rose to fame with that children's book, he began to crank out more. At a startling pace. Of course, when somebody begins writing and producing book after book in less than a month, the books lack quality. Ever week when my parents and I go shopping for groceries, I always check the book section. Sure enough, almost consistently every week, I find another "bestseller" Patterson children's book gracing the shelves. Recently, he produced a book called "Max Einstein: The Genius Experiment" which was apparently the only children's book authorized by the "Albert Einstein Association." One page into the book and I'm tempted to burn it. It's just another one of his soul-less books. Not meant to entertain, just made to sell. But somehow, within a week, It was completely sold out from the local Safeway. Patterson exploits children, whose opinions are often hidden by their parents. His children's books are just money making machines, made to sell quickly. He takes the ever-curious minds of children and uses them for his own gain. Just burn all Patterson books, please.

[Jadetyger]

I tried what I think is the first Women's Murder Club book. Patterson's writing is just too mundane and uninteresting. I didn't finish the book. My reaction can best be described as 'eh.'

I don't think he writes his own books anymore anyway.

[Rachel]

Like so many other popular authors, James Patterson’s first books were terrific before he had major deadlines and the need to spit out at least 2 books a year. The first few, where he was the sole writer depth, character development and good twists. They were not the air popped corn they are now. Kiss the girls—great. I Alex cross, garbage,

[Rachel]

Whoever mentioned Sidney Sheldon and Jackie Collins—YES. They rocked in the beginning

[Tiffany]

I know this is a *super* old thread. But James Patterson was chosen to be UW’s commencement speaker (great choice, I know) and he just told us to “get a damn job like the rest of us”. Felt like I should comment as confirmation that he is indeed an ass.

[Savannah]

I will admit I am literally addicted to the Maximum Ride series, but I haaaaate all his other books. They just suck!

[Barbara]

I liked the early Alex Cross, but for many years now and in the other areas he writes, like YA and even some nonfiction - I read that Patterson made up detailed outlines and a ghost did the actual writing. I don't think Patterson has written a whole book on his own for years.
There are a couple writers, like Vince Flynn, who died and the estate allowed another writer to take up his main character and continue a series but Patterson is pretty much an idea factory now, not an author.

[Miles]

I read some of Patterson's YA books back in middle- and early high school, and genuinely liked some of them. I believe I started with Daniel X but just couldn't get into it, from there I started the Maximum Ride series which I genuinely liked for a while. As others have said, things got pretty bad around book four and went downhill from there but not so much as to put me off entirely. I did finish the series (unless it has continued without my knowledge). After Max Ride I plunged into the Witch and Wizard which I didn't like as much at the start of, but again read the entire series. WW did slip at the Kiss but I felt like the last couple books managed to pick back up and wrap up the series decently.
These days I don't think I could make it through any of those old books, regardless of how much I enjoyed them a decade ago. It wasn't the worst thing I read back then, but I still don't think I could stomach it.
Patterson should just retire, and let his not-so-ghost writers write their own things. Maybe they'll give us something interesting for a change.

[John]

I've never had any interest at all in trying his books.

[Arrington]

I like his Maximum Ride series and Witch and Wizard.