Vathek
question
Worst Book You Have Ever Read.
Richard
May 01, 2012 01:16PM
Okay, this thread was prompted by another, slightly different...
It's not really about this book, but i had to put a title in the context, so i chose my worst.
In order to qualify, you must have finished the book. Ones thrown away in disgust after 25 pages do not count.
All right, I'm sure there are going to be some hard-fought contests - I have about half a dozen that vie for bottom place - but please put only one, although comments on your or anyone else's choices are welcome.
It's not really about this book, but i had to put a title in the context, so i chose my worst.
In order to qualify, you must have finished the book. Ones thrown away in disgust after 25 pages do not count.
All right, I'm sure there are going to be some hard-fought contests - I have about half a dozen that vie for bottom place - but please put only one, although comments on your or anyone else's choices are welcome.
Without a doubt 'The Hamilton Case' by Michelle De Kretser.
Slow, dull and so heavy on repetitive descriptions of foliage it's like cutting through a jungle to read it.
The main character is weak, dull and is completely reactive to everything around it.
The book shifts from first person to third to a different first person for no discernible reason.
The book is so engaged with its desire to be lush it forgets to be clear, there are some moments that despite reading them 9 or 10 times, I still couldn't work out what had happened.
Which doesn't matter, because there isn't anything like a plot in the book anyway.
The experience of reading this book was gruelling but I had to finish it for a course. It put me off reading for a month.
Needless to say, I will not be reading any follow up novels.
Slow, dull and so heavy on repetitive descriptions of foliage it's like cutting through a jungle to read it.
The main character is weak, dull and is completely reactive to everything around it.
The book shifts from first person to third to a different first person for no discernible reason.
The book is so engaged with its desire to be lush it forgets to be clear, there are some moments that despite reading them 9 or 10 times, I still couldn't work out what had happened.
Which doesn't matter, because there isn't anything like a plot in the book anyway.
The experience of reading this book was gruelling but I had to finish it for a course. It put me off reading for a month.
Needless to say, I will not be reading any follow up novels.
There is no discernible characterisation - ...more
May 08, 2012 03:16PM · flag