Worst book you've ever read?

[Ian H]

Lord of the Rings. I read it with enthusiasm as a teenager. Rereading as an adult it was twee, tedious tosh.

Edit: and if you prefer bad poetry, try Laurie Lee's.

 

[Alex321]

The lion, witch and wardrobe things. Can't bring myself to call them books. I forced myself to read one of them because I imagined that there should be something to those books to make them popular. If there is I couldn't find it.

They were written as children's books. I wouldn't expect anybody beyond teenage years to get all that much out of them.

 

[StuAff]

Mein Kampf.

 

[C R]

They were written as children's books. I wouldn't expect anybody beyond teenage years to get all that much out of them.

They are poorly written children's books. Not a patch on Treasure Island or The Book of Dust. I don't think ten year old me would have had a different opinion on them. C S Lewis must be one of the most overrated authors in the history of English literature.

 

[Ian H]

They are poorly written children's books. Not a patch on Treasure Island or The Book of Dust. I don't think ten year old me would have had a different opinion on them. C S Lewis must be one of the most overrated authors in the history of English literature.

And a Catholic propagandist.

 

[stephec]

Mein Kampf.

For some strange reason I found myself looking for English translations of that around six months ago, there's quite a few about.

 

[Yellow Fang]

I started reading Riders by Jilly Cooper. Got to the end of the first chapter.

 

[C R]

And a Catholic propagandist.

I guess that's probably what keeps his works around.

 

[VinSumRox]

Ones where I have read a couple of chapters and just can't be bothered to carry on!

 

[Dogtrousers]

I did start Something Happened by Heller but never finished it. Years ago. Don't recall anything else about it.

 

[All uphill]

Yes, there has been plenty books I have started and thought this is crap and abandoned ship so to speak. So they must be the very worst!

Not sure if this fits into "Worst Book" or not; Recently read 'Wideacre' by Philipa Gregory, 600+ pages in 2 weeks (which is fast for me) this would suggest it was a very good book, but the main character turned into the most vile person, I hated her, and although I couldn't put the book down I did not enjoy it,. Something very captivating about philpa gregory's writing for me, one of the best books I have read in recent years was 'Tidelands' fell in love with the main character in that one.

I find that interesting as I prefer books with psychologically twisted protagonists. "The Talented Mr Ripley" and "Giovanni's Room" are two I've loved in the last few weeks. Unpleasant characters, but very thought-provoking.

In contrast I found the 800 pages of "Tombland" a struggle. The main character is a goody-goody and you know he will triumph in the end.

 

[Legs]

I'm probably committing some kind of heresy here, but I really did not enjoy The Maltese Falcon - a huge disappointment when I read it.

 

[Drago]

IKEA Instucrions.

 

[Gwylan]

My company's handbook.

Oh, that reminds me.
We had a handbook on being taken hostage. The course was truly dreadful.

Yes it had happened.

Some advice to gormless 'mericans who had no street wisdom at all.
Included, don't antagonise your captors or diss their religion.
Don't refuse food. The food might be better than they get and they have no interest in poisoning you.

And finally " it's is company policy not to pay ransom. But remember everyone at Head Office is working to secure your release"
Yeah. Real confidence booster that was.

They are poorly written children's books. Not a patch on Treasure Island or The Book of Dust. I don't think ten year old me would have had a different opinion on them. C S Lewis must be one of the most overrated authors in the history of English literature.

Unkind! Perhaps you'll provide a list of your published material.

 

[C R]

Unkind! Perhaps you'll provide a list of your published material.

I am sufficiently self aware to realise that no one would be interested in reading my dross.