I generally like to see things through to the end. Especially food. Chocolate should never be left unfinished. Or these maple covered nuts. Just sayin.
And I do like to finish most books. But every once and a while, I quit. I just do. My need for public confessions makes it clear that peace has not been made with these abdications. I would love to know if you have ever finished one of these books, if you have loved it and even why I might try again. (And I am totally up for trying again...that is how I fell in love with Margaret Atwood. Long story.) I used to think that I would never quit a book--I would always see it through. Then I became a parent and I learned that words like "never" and "always" are just plain foolish.
So here is my confession. I have quit some books.
(Spoiler alert: At the end are some books I am looking forward to reading, lest this post feel too woe-is-me.)
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Series
(Stieg Larsson). I read the first book and part way through I
started skimming. A) I was (very) bored. The characters ate way too many
sandwiches. B) I didn't like the violence. I didn't feel the story was
powerful enough to merit the amount of violence involved. C) EDIT
(and I may be one to talk, but this is a blog, not a book). So I quit
on the whole series. There was no way I was entering into another long,
poorly edited, graphically violent book that seemed to be gruesome just
for the sake of it. But I'm willing to listen to another side of the
story.
Middlemarch (George Eliot) A classic, right? Have you read this classic? I tried. I QUIT. It was too deep for me. I don't balk easily at long sentences. I like to think that any sentence, read properly, is understandable. ERRONEOUS. I had to read and re-read sentence after sentence. It was hard for me to do so--this book as serious theological underpinnings and I have done some schooling in theology. So I wanted to understand. My pride wanted me to get it. But I couldn't follow it. And yes, it haunts me.
Vanity Fair (William Makepeace Thackery). Again, a classic. And while I could follow this story--I just got bored out of my skull. I wasn't engaged. Bigger confession: watched the movie just to see the ending. Terrible, I know.
Lord of the Flies (William Golding). I'm not sure I quit this one *per se* but I didn't really read the whole thing. I read the beginning (in grade 11), got busy, saw the movie, read the end for a project (still grade 11) and then never got to the middle. I feel like a Lord of the Flies flake. I hope I can't retroactively fail grade 11 English.
Uh-oh. This list is getting longer the more I think about it. Maybe I'll stop.
After all is said and done, I do think it is worth sticking most books out until the end. That being said, here are a few I wish I had read differently:
Little Bee (Chris Cleave). This book has a great beginning. I loved it. And then the whole thing falls apart. My book club all felt the same way: great start, riveting and interesting...but then...blurg. Everything goes downhill. It is either a brilliant comment on the contrast between Western-suburban culture and rural African life OR it is just not that great. I think the latter might be the case. 
The Expats (Chris Pavone). I didn't mind this book, I just wish I hadn't started reading it while I was home alone with my kids. It was midnight before I went to bed because I had to know what happened. Good read, Bourne-like mystery...but don't read it home alone. Consider yourself warned.
State of Wonder (Ann Patchett). This book is added to the list hesitantly because I like Ann Patchett's writing, especially Bel Canto (it is a go-to recommendation for me). However, this story was too thin or almost too thick--I'm not sure which. It was well-written but weakly told. Great moments but too long before anything happens. However, if you are looking for an exercise in character writing, you could check this book out.
Most books I have read from start to finish, whether I like them or not. But sometimes, you just have to give up and let a book slide. Not to worry. Behind each disappointment is another book waiting to wow you. I'm off to start Divergent (Veronica Roth), Ender's Game (Orson Scott Card) and The Virgin Cure (Ami McKay). I'm sure my high hopes will be met!
No comments:
Post a Comment