Today's topic: Books I Had to Read in School and Didn't Like
Trying a new-to-you author is always a gamble, isn't it? You might like the writing, the story, or some other elements to the book. Or you might not. Enjoying everything you read is never guaranteed. Even your favorite author might take a story in one direction that you just didn't care for in the end.
And that's okay. We're all unique individuals with different likes and dislikes. We all come from different backgrounds and bring our own personalities to the stories that we read. The writing will touch us in some way, whether good or bad. That's as it should be. That's what makes finding that wonderful-to-me gem of a book all the more precious.
Our schools have exposed us to a variety of tastes in reading. As a teenager, I wasn't all too thrilled with some of the books forced upon me. By the end of my school career, however, I was grateful for the experience. I did get to read some interesting books that I enjoyed and opened me up to new worlds.
Here's a list of some of those worlds that just weren't for me. WARNING! This will contain spoilers, so if you want to read any of these books and haven't done so, then maybe you should skip this post.
Still with me? Okay, let's move on...
Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare
In Romoe and Juliet, Shakespeare creates a violent world, in which two young people fall in love. It is not simply that their families disapprove; the Montagues and the Capulets are engaged in a blood feud.
In this death-filled setting, the movement from love at first sight to the lovers' final union in death seems almost inevitable. And yet, this play set in an extraordinary world has become the quintessential story of young love. In part because of its exquisite language, it is easy to respond as if it were about all young lovers.
This book is FREE at the moment, in case you're interested.
Okay, don't throw things at me. There are a lot of Shakespeare's plays that I really do enjoy. And it's not so much that I didn't like the story. The characters are all well written and the story is sound. I just hate the ending. This isn't a romance, as some readers claim. It's a tragedy.
Spoilers! Again, I'm giving you a second chance to look away.
They die at the end. I mean, what?? I hate the ending. Dislike. Despise. Do. Not. Want.
I'm a Happily-Ever-After girl. I want to see characters go through hell and fire and pain (that sounds bad, but hear me out), so that when they get to the end of their story, all is well. They've journeyed through a trying experience they didn't think they would survive, only to make it to the end and become a better person/people for it.
When the characters die at the end, the main characters!, I'm just...ugh...
I wish my teacher had given me a heads-up about this one. I might have skipped class that last day.
Sorry, Mr. McCormick.
Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham
The first and most autobiographical of Maugham's masterpieces. It is the story of Philip Carey, an orphan eager for life, love and adventure. After a few months studying in Heidelberg, and a brief spell in Paris as a would-be artist, he settles in London to train as a doctor where he meets Mildred, the loud but irresistible waitress with whom he plunges into a tortured and masochistic affair.Here's another one where the writing style was wonderful. It was an easy story to read. The descriptions were outstanding. Oh, but the characters. I was not a fan of the characters. The author did a wonderful job telling the story. I really didn't like Mildred. Really, really. And Philip annoyed me.
Again, this is not a romance. I favor romances. Anyone who knows me knows this. Not that I read romances exclusively, but I like knowing what I'm in for when I read a book and this story was not what I was prepared for. It annoyed me. The author most likely wrote the characters with that intention, but I'm not a fan of this type of book. Just not for me.
Find out what other writers posted about this week's topic at Long and Short Reviews!
FIRE & ICE
Fire and Ice...they are two of the most powerful elements known to man.
From the tiniest sparks to a blazing inferno, fire is an intense energy that can consume anything in its path.
Ice is it's unrelenting and frigid counterpart that can startle your senses and make you shiver. When put together, you'll find a force that is stronger than anything you'll ever encounter.
If you love the paranormal and can't get enough of romance, then this set is exactly what you need in your library.
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I'd never even heard Of Human Bondage. If only you'd like Mildred better, though. I've had a few books ruined by characters I simply couldn't stand even though everything else about the story was good.
ReplyDeleteMy post.
It is disappointing.
DeleteI just came across a copy of Of Human Bondage and debated picking it up to read. I might have to go back and try, but I don't like when I don't like the characters. I have to agree with you on R&J. It is a tragedy.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I read it, even though I didn't like it. I encourage you to give it a try, too. You might find something you enjoy. Readers are all different.
DeleteI remember reading Romeo and Juliet aloud in the 9th grade. When I taught 9th grade English I substituted Taming of the Shrew. 14 year olds don't need to think if things don't go their way suicided is a way out.
ReplyDeleteI know, right?! That's a long discussion by itself with teens.
DeleteWe also did Romeo and Juliet. I love Shakespeare, but I prefer his comedies.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many great Shakespeare stories! I really love a lot of them. But, I'm fond of Happily-Ever-Afters, so the tragedies just aren't my thing.
ReplyDelete