Worst book you've ever read?

[Cathryn]

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.

We read Lion Witch Wardrobe in my class in December. 21 children loved it. Maybe we are just not target audience!

 

[Gwylan]

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

That's a relief.

But HE was a man of principle

 

[Time Waster]

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

The irony of posting that shortly after your diss of any kids books that are relatively modern. You are right!

 

[Juan Kog]

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.

I did see a copy in English in my local charity shop along with a history of the waffen SS .
I was tempted , just to leave on the coffee table at home . But I knew Mrs JK would not have been amused.

 

[Reynard]

I have a translation that's contemporary to the original.

Believe me folks, you ain't missing much. It's dry, rambling stodge.

 

[C R]

The irony of posting that shortly after your diss of any kids books that are relatively modern. You are right!

The Book of Dust is significantly more modern than CS Lewis. The first book of the series was published in 2017, CS Lewis died in 1963.

 

[All uphill]

I'm trying to read "A Wedding in December" by Anita Shreve. It's our bookclub book this month.

I can't find anything to like about it so far. Wealthy Americans, stories within stories, fragmented narrative and dull. This may be the book that defeats me.

I made it difficult for myself by re-reading the Great Gatsby at the weekend. Similar setting, but Gatsby is champagne and Shreve's book is lemonade.

 

[Drago]

I have a translation that's contemporary to the original.

Believe me folks, you ain't missing much. It's dry, rambling stodge.

Yes, I've read it. Made me quite glad a handful of my Jewish ancestors gave him a good kicking as a young man.

 

[simongt]

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.

Read all the Narnia series as a wee lad and thoroughly enjoyed them then. Was awarded 'The Silver Chair' as a school prize when i was eight - !
However, on re reading some of them many years later, decided that they were stories with a 'cast' of upper class toff children, so went right off them - !