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It took me a while because first i was thinking of Twilight, but I actually thought it was rather cute, for being written by a silly "13 year old girl" (well the first book, the next two was crap).
But then I realised which book I struggled with because it was so bad, oh and I read it 2-3 times. A portrait of the artist as a young man by James Joyce. We had it for our classics class, and after reading the lovely Jane Eyre, we read this one. I have never been so bored in all my life, every word made me yawn and I didn't understand why it was so great. Neither did my friends who took the same course. For some strange reason though I did good in the exam, I guess I understood what it was all about. (though I can't help to wonder how boring my essays must have been.)
No, it was confusing and boring, I am certain that i will never pick up a Joyce book ever again, how ever great he may be.
How about you then?
It's too bad that one bad experience with an author can turn you off forever. I'm just like that, too, however, so it's not a complaint.
ReplyDeleteI did go with Twilight. I've read books for 13-year-old girls that have been wonderful. Twilight wasn't one.
cjh
Yes I have read those kinds of books too and still love them, cos the writing was wonderful, but Meyers writing is just not up to that.
ReplyDeleteI know, one bad experience, and the author can be lost forever. He is just not for me
I'll agree on Joyce. He doesn't get any better whichever you read! I had to read it for school too!
ReplyDeleteI've struggled with Joyce too. I know I should like him, but...
ReplyDeleteThe book I don't like is Lord of The rings!
http://lyndasbookblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/booking-through-thursday_19.html
Many seems to have struggled with Joyce in school...is it only the teachers that like him or?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed Dubliners much more than any other Joyce book.
ReplyDeleteMy BTT is up.
I just can't persuade myself to try Joyce. It looks too much like hard work.
ReplyDeleteHm, Dubliners, could I manage that...maybe one day.
ReplyDeleteFleurfisher, well I woulnd't recommend you reading it either, it is work.
Twilight seems to be in many people's answers today. I haven't read it yet, but I do have it in my TBR.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read anything by Joyce.
I have a real struggle with anything I've tried by James Joyce, too -- especially 'Ulysses.' It didn't help that the professor loved it so much!
ReplyDeleteI havent tried any Joyce yet, he's never really inspired me!
ReplyDeleteInstead of Twilight everyone should read The Golden Compass. That is a fantastic YA series.
ReplyDeletehttp://barneysbookblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/booking-through-thursday_19.html
My professor loved Joyce, he couldn't stop talking about Joyce...dunno why.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've read anything by Joyce. From all the comments it sounds like I am not missing anything. :-)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Joyce...I'm too scared ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou are not missing anything, trust me ;)
ReplyDeleteI read Joyce so long ago I cant even remember him. Twiligh,no no no just say no to vampires.
ReplyDeleteMy BTT is here
I did like Portrait of An Artist and its companion novel, (or fragment therof) Stephen Hero. But then, I read them back when I was a teen and didn't care if I couldn't comprehend the book, I just enjoyed the flow of words and images. I've never been able to read any other Joyce, put them down in dismay. Too confusing. Maybe I'm trying too hard to understand, now that I'm older!
ReplyDeleteI could never read Ulysses beyond page 4. JJ is one author one can safely leave out reading!
ReplyDeleteHere is what I wrote
I had to read A Portrait of An Artist As A Young Man as well in high school. I don't remember too much about it, or if I even read it all, but I think at the time my brain just wasn't in tuned to that kind of reading. Definitely something that I'll have to re-read now with a much more mature mind (lol); maybe I'll understand and enjoy it better.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog :)
Seems like James Joyce is a polarizing author - you either love him or hate him! I haven't tried anything from him yet, but I'm not in a huge hurry either.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem to be like that :)
ReplyDeleteAnd we did over analyse Joyce, every word, so that did make me dislike it even more. I don't want to think, I want to enjoy
I'm about to re-read Ulysses, which i didn't enjoy reading it the first time in college.
ReplyDeleteMy pick for this week is Da Vinci Code. It doesn't have any competitor. The literary blunders and infelicities just confound me.
Joyce is tough. I've only ever read The Dead.
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone that visited :D
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting when ppl say they like certain classics when I find them incredibly boring. I wonder how many ppl just say they like it since it's a classic and are too embarrassed to admit it otherwise
ReplyDeleteI agree that Joyce is tough to read. I struggled through some of his books a while ago. I loved Twilight. I also thought the movie was great.
ReplyDeleteA blog in the rough, so true, I have wondered about that too. So far the only classic I have liked is Jane Eyre.
ReplyDeleteCharli and me, I do confess both the book and movie was cute :D