LIST books you abandoned?

[Arukiyomi]

15 all Amanda. However, asn't that the point of The Corrections: that contemporary US parenting breeds whiny trashy children?

[Danyellemastro]

The light of day by Graham Swift (with 15 pages to go) and the end of London Fields by Martin Amis. It's the second Amis that's left me less than impressed so I'm not holding out much hope!

[Melissa]

I abandoned The Black Dahlia last year. It just lost me about halfway through.

Tej wrote: "Ginny wrote: "Just gave up on 2666 by Bolano (not sure which list this one was on). I didn't like any of the characters and really didn't care what happened to them. The Black Dahlia was another o..."

[Jeff]

House of Leaves

[Judith]

Sofia wrote: "For me, Gulliver's Travels and Moby Dick.

Can't remember if Foucault's Pendulum is part of the 1001 list but if so, that one too.."

It is on the list, Sofia.

[Sofia]

Judith wrote: "Sofia wrote: "For me, Gulliver's Travels and Moby Dick.

Can't remember if Foucault's Pendulum is part of the 1001 list but if so, that one too.."

It is on the list, Sofia."

Thanks Judith! I suspected it was but wasn't sure anymore :) so that's three for me!

[Gini]

Jeff wrote: "House of Leaves"

Interesting. I was completely fascinated by it.

[Alex “Alex Reads All”]

The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James (talk about long winded) and Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugeides. I tried with the latter on three seperate occasions, couldn't get passed the first 50 pages. And I am not one to easily give up. I made it to page 105 or so of Portrait of a Lady. But I just couldn't go on.

[Michelle]

Sandi wrote: When I started the book I had the same reaction at first, but after a while I got sick of how the only women in the book were whores, cheating wives, aspiring whores, or nurses that got made fun of for being upset when molested. "

Sandi, that's EXACTLY why that book failed for me too, and i couldn't get past the unpleasant sexual politics in that book. also, i really didn't find it hilarious at all.

Riona, i'm always fascinated by people's different tastes in books - a few things that i really loved are kicked in this thread (neuromancer, cryptonomicon, middlesex). i think it's a matter of the authors being able to write something that has an impact, whereas, say, dan brown just writes vaguely likeable pap? love it or hate it, at least you reacted instead of it passing you by.

my current crash & burn is Out of Africa, which i started since it's our pick for this month and i thought the movie was pretty good back in the day. but geez, this meanders aimlessly all over the place, and sounds like sitting down with someone just blabbing about how great things used to be, with a dash of colonial entitlement (aka racism du jour) liberally sprinkled throughout. i know it's supposed to be lyrical and beautiful, but i'm just zzzzzzzzzzzz.

[Tej]

Michelle wrote: "...my current crash & burn is Out of Africa..."

I loved the movie but haven't gotten to the book yet. One book that ought to be on the list is West with the Night by Beryl Markham. If you want to read a memoir of this time and place, I highly recommend it. Markham is reputedly the lover of Isak Dinesen's husband although she doesn't mention it in her book. Oddly, neither woman wrote about the other even though they definitely ran in the same circles. She was born of English parents and grew up in eastern Africa. She was also the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic from east to west (which is much more difficult than west to east because of the jet stream).

[Sissy]

Really? I thought Middlesex: A Novel was amazing.

I've also had a hard time with Middlesex. It is a book I feel like I *should* enjoy... I made it 1/2 way and it went back to the shelf. I do intend to finish it someday, I just haven't yet...

The Forsyte Saga is also in the same situation. I have read the first book but have yet to tackle the rest. That one at least is still on my nightstand. I did enjoy (at least the first book) more than Middlesex, but still, surprized I haven't been able to get into it as much. Should be the right genre for me.

[Alex “Alex Reads All”]

Riona wrote: "Sara wrote: "The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James (talk about long winded) and Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugeides. I tried with the latter on three seperate occasions, couldn't get passed the first 50 ..."

Yeah. I think that I am in the minority on this one. I don't even remember at this point why I couldn't get into it but there you have it.

[Kathleen]

Tej wrote: "One book that ought to be on the list is West with the Night by Beryl Markham..."

Completely agreed, Tej. That is one of best books I've read in my life (and I've been around for quite awhile). It has stuck with me like few others, and I've always wondered why Beryl Markham is so little known.

[Katie]

I gave up on Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy. I almost think the point was the pointlessness of violence. It just got so gory. The prose was beautiful sometimes though.

[Lynecia]

For me it was "To the Lighthouse" by Virginia Woolf. A snoozefest for me.

[Judith]

Sara wrote: "Riona wrote: "Sara wrote: "The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James (talk about long winded) and Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugeides. I tried with the latter on three seperate occasions, couldn't get passed..."

I once started "Portrait of a Lady" and abandoned it after only a few chapters also. I just couldn't get into it at all, which is strange for me as I like novels of that ilk and have enjoyed the several others I have read by James. I plan to give it another try before too long though.

[Alex “Alex Reads All”]

Judith wrote: "Sara wrote: "Riona wrote: "Sara wrote: "The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James (talk about long winded) and Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugeides. I tried with the latter on three seperate occasions, couldn..."

Well I wish you luck! =D If you can get through it you are a more dedicated reader than I am. I too enjoy books of that ilk but his writing just turned me off.

[Amerynth]

Tej wrote: "One book that ought to be on the list is West with the Night by Beryl Markham..."

I'll third that.... West with the Night is one of my favorite books. I didn't know of her connection with Isak Dinesen (or her lover...) so that was definitely an interesting tidbit!

[Karina]

I was THISCLOSE to abandoning Siddartha but barely finished. The only book I've abandoned (I've only read 75 so far and on my 76th from the list) is The Children's Book. I do plan on finishing it out though but I have no interest reading the story within the story and wanted the book to end so for right now, it waits.

[Maryann]

The Children's Book was difficult for me, though I slogged through. Byatt is just so wordy...

[Ginny]

I'm almost finished with the second volume of Proust(2 out of the 7 volumes!!) I like it, sort of, really wish I liked it more and didn't resent it or feel like I'm forcing myself to do a good but albeit mundane task. I know when I get done with them ( I refuse to give up on these, but feel like I need a little encouragement that there is light at the end of the tunnel and it isn't a train...) but just get so sidetracked with other books that I REALLY want to read from the list and school is starting soon ( I interpret in the school system for a Deaf student) and sigh.....Maybe the search party would be wise to come looking for me about now. : )

[Mandy]

I struggle with all things Jane Austen....I don't know why but I just cannot get into her books.

[Andrea]

Maryann wrote: "The Children's Book was difficult for me, though I slogged through. Byatt is just so wordy..."

I was shocked when I saw that made the list. I bought the book a couple years ago, thinking it would be good and not realizing that it was close to 700 pages, and I gave up after about 80 pages. I might try to get into it again but I have such a hard time when things just drag on.

[Katy]

Mandy wrote: "I struggle with all things Jane Austen....I don't know why but I just cannot get into her books."

Oh, it is so nice to meet someone else with this opinion. All my friends love Austen and I just cannot enjoy any of her books.

[Katrina]

I'm the same regarding Austen, they just don't live up to the hype.

[Diane]

Katrina wrote: "I'm the same regarding Austen, they just don't live up to the hype."

I love the idea of Austen but I too struggle and dare I say get bored reading her books. I think Austen needs to be experienced rather than simply read So l borrowed a tip from my daughters' teacher. Last year the girls read To Kill a Mockingbird and their teacher suggested the students listen to the audiobook version As they Read as a tool to aid comprehension. So earlier this year when I read Persuasion, I listened to the audiobook in my car and later read passages from the book. I did set Persuasion down several times and read 5 other books, but I did not abandon it and I ended up enjoying it.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Many years ago I read Pride and Prejudice and wondered what was the point? Won't bother with any more Austen.

[Arukiyomi]

Austen capitalised on the authors of a generation before her to basically put all their ideas in the same place and thereby make a name for herself. Nothing original about her at all... except her brevity. Many of her contemporaries wrote books many times longer. I think that's why she became more popular than those who had the original ideas did. As far as I'm concerned, the only thing she contributed to literature was the formula novel. All her novels have exactly the same plots. Boring as heck.

[Karina]

Did anyone else struggle with Madame Bovary. I am half way through and I want to throw this out the window. I took three days away from it and I am trying to get back into it but I am truly hating it.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Karina wrote: "Did anyone else struggle with Madame Bovary. I am half way through and I want to throw this out the window. I took three days away from it and I am trying to get back into it but I am truly hating it."

I did not especially care for it. I read it with another group so did keep reading.

my review

[Terri]

I really struggled with Bovary. And maybe that was mostly because I despised her character.

[April]

Karina wrote: "Did anyone else struggle with Madame Bovary. I am half way through and I want to throw this out the window. I took three days away from it and I am trying to get back into it but I am truly hating it."

I struggled with it, too, as I didn't like the character. Gets better toward the end, though.

my review

[Sofia]

Arukiyomi wrote: "Austen capitalised on the authors of a generation before her to basically put all their ideas in the same place and thereby make a name for herself. Nothing original about her at all... except her ..."

Regarding Jane Austen, I actually liked Pride and Prejudice, but then I tried to read Mansfield Park and it was hard going. I managed to finish it but it was out of stubbornness rather than enjoyment.. As such I have given up wanting to read any of her other books except Northanger Abbey as I have a soft spot for Gothic novels.. I hope I won't be disappointed!

[Judith]

I enjoyed "Pride and Prejudice" years and years ago. I loved the romance and the historical context of it at the time. I did not become one of her great fans.
But more recently I read "Emma" and laughed and laughed.
She certainly has her place in literary history- you can't dispute that- but perhaps one or two of her novels is all one needs to read in order to appreciate what she accomplished.

[Cecily]

"The Children's Book" is wordy and long - but beautifully so. Nevertheless, I'm not sure I'd include it in a 1001 list; brilliant as some aspects are, it is quite flawed in others (my review is http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...).

[Emma]

Katie wrote: "I gave up on Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy. I almost think the point was the pointlessness of violence. It just got so gory. The prose was beautiful sometimes though."

Yep, I put Blood Meridian, or the Evening Redness in the West down too.

I put the whole list aside about a year ago and I'm having a hard time coming back to it. Nothing seems enticing. I've been reading so much junk food.

[Jeannie]

As badly as I wanted to finish the book, I couldn't bear to finish Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen. It may have been due to the fact that I'm busy with schoolwork and didn't make time to enjoy it, but I simply could not bear to read it.

[Danyellemastro]

Just recently, the piano teacher. Beyond painful despite an intriguing start. I'll try it again in a few years time

[Amie]

The Public Burning

I got 100 pages in, and had to stop. It was boring me to tears. I really didn't care about the characters, and really didn't care to see how it ended.

[Kirsten]

Quo Vadis. I tried, I really did but it just wasn't interesting enough for me to put up with being beaten over the head with its message.

[Lane]

1Q84. I tried twice, but no go. Kafka has always been barely tolerable to me, and 1Q84 helped me more accurately define that line.

[Mikela]

Ginny wrote: "I'm almost finished with the second volume of Proust(2 out of the 7 volumes!!) I like it, sort of, really wish I liked it more and didn't resent it or feel like I'm forcing myself to do a good but ..."

I haven't started the second one yet as I thought a break with other reads would be beneficial. I did notice that there is a group dedicated to reading Proust and they are just beginning I think. I did a brief look and I think you would really be able to obtain some help and insight. It seems that the leaders have read it more than once.

[Deborah Wells]

I tried, but I just could not get through Lady Chatterly's Lover.

[Ginny]

Mikela wrote: "Ginny wrote: "I'm almost finished with the second volume of Proust(2 out of the 7 volumes!!) I like it, sort of, really wish I liked it more and didn't resent it or feel like I'm forcing myself to ..."Thank you so much for that Mikela! I have been feeling all alone on this, like out on an iceberg with no sight of land and you shined a flashlight from the shore!! : ) I will look into the group-it may be just what I need! Thanks again!

[Lisa]

I have SERIOUSLY struggled with The Jungle...I'm 23 pages into it to page 255 in Fingersmith, which i only started 2 DAYS ago. An author I completely just don't "get" & have picked up & put down a gazillion times, it didn't matter WHICH book he wrote is Rushdie. I have the same issue with Portrait of the Artist As A Young Man. I've started that one twice, get to the same point, & quit. Maybe next time I'll just START at the point I abandoned it & push on from there.

[Nickelini]

You've talked about lots of my favourites--Anna Karenina, Rebecca, To the Lighthouse, Out of Africa, Portrait of a Lady, and all of Jane Austen (She is the master of the biting observation). These were all 5 star reads for me. The ones that I've abandoned are The Black Dahlia (got to about page 4 I think), and Cry the Beloved Country (was well over 100 pages in but couldn't bear another sentence.)

[Ellinor]

I gave up reading The Children's Bookafter about 100 pages. I just didn't really get into it. Maybe I'll pick it up again one day and finish reading it. I actually hate abandoning books and have finished much worse books. So it's actually a pity I didn't finish that one.
Another one I gave up on is Robinson Crusoe. I read it when I was maybe 12 years old and at some point I just got extremely bored by it. But it's on top of my to-read list and I definetely want to finish it this time.

[Velma]

J wrote: "You've talked about lots of my favourites--Anna Karenina ..."

I abandoned AK too, but it was because I made the mistake of taking it on a backpacking trip, and what I needed was lighter fare. I plan to pick it up again one of these days, and start over. Hopefully, before the film comes out, because I'd like to see it, and I always prefer to read the book first.

I'm curious: what makes it one of your faves?

[Kristi]

The Arabian Nights was just too much of a chore in the end. I think I should have picked a more modern translation.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Wayne wrote: "I've seen the Proust group too. They're reading other things as a warmup right now and are going to start on Proust in January. I've been thinking about joining them also, so maybe I'll see you both there! "

Thanks to all who mentioned this group. I'll take the plunge.