Can a book be beautifully poetic with its prose to the point that it becomes too abstract and consequently, entirely meaningless?
Yes. I have found that book.
Note to self: don’t assume that just because you loved one book from an author that the next one from them is a sure thing.
#dnf
Theresa Smith Writes 
Ah yes, I’ve had this experience with Siri Husvedt – loved some of her books, others I hardly made it through the first few chapters.
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It goes against the grain, for me.
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Such a shame š I’m not giving up yet, but probably won’t get through it this week.
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I got some really good books in the mail last week for review and I’m sitting here trying to slog through this and I just thought, why am I reading this? I have so much else I could be reading and enjoying. Last weekend I read two full sized novels entirely. This weekend, 45 pages of this. It’s wasted my weekend which is when I get most of my books read.
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Yes, I completely understand. I have so much else to read. I was flitting between 3 books last night š ill try finish Mammoth today and then Josephine Moon’s new book.
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Jo Moon is one I got that I’m keen to get to.
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I finished it last night, the first book in a while I haven’t wanted to put down. I read it in two very late night sittings.
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Jo Moon’s?
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Yes.
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Might need to make it my next read then. š
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It has a bit of romance š but the story was really good.
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I’ve loved each of her other books. She writes lovely stories.
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I have a few of her books, but this is the first I’ve read. Will have to make time to read the others.
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All good!
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I’ve always said that life is too short to continue reading a book that you’re not enjoying (unless you have to read it for uni or some other important reason).
But I’m still plodding on with a book I really dislike now. The school where I learn French chose it for its next book group, which is really good for improving conversation skills, but if not for that I would have ditched it long ago. I think I have two or three weeks to finish it, and I only have 150 pages to go, but I doubt I’m going to get there.
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This one is for my book club buddy read and I feel a bit of guilt at abandoning it but I suppose that offers its own talking point about it.
That one must be a slog if you don’t envisage getting through 150 pages in a fortnight!
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It is indeed a slog. I spent too many years as a teacher of little boys obsessed with their own bodies to be much interested in the narcissistic meanderings of an old man.
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Eeww! No thanks! š
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And this is exactly what I was worried about with this book. Loved Night Circus so much, but not in a rush to read this one.
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A vastly different book to The Night Circus, Marg! There are plenty of better books you could spend your time with.
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Wow, I’m shocked this is a DNF for you. :-O Especially considering how much you loved The Night Circus and how excited you were for this, but it happens. I can understand how the inclusion of the Sweet Sorrows stories can make the overall reading experience feel abstract. I’m just hoping and trusting it’s all going to come together by the end. I’m 60% through the buddy read and many of those threads have now come into the main story and I’m beginning to be able to see traces of the overall puzzle.
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This is nothing like The Night Circus, which was historical fiction with magical realism and a very clear plot.
It’s not just the Sweet Sorrows, I’m actually not even at all interested in Zachary’s sections. I’m glad others in the buddy read are enjoying it, I would feel apalled if everyone hated it and had wasted their money on it.
The Facebook thread of this post has confirmed for me that stopping is the best idea. The consensus seems to be that this book is hopeless.
I have made a pact with myself this year that I won’t waste time on books I can’t get into, so in honour of that, it’s a #dnf.
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That’s a bit sad, I so enjoyed The Night Circus and was really looking forward to reading this one. Oh well, I’ll give it a go and see how it turns out. But I do agree, life is too short to waste time reading books we’re not enjoying. And there’s always plenty of other books to read anyway.
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I’ll look forward to your opinion on it!
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I just had that problem with Hamnet – so disappointed in the end – it wasn’t for me. It’s hard when a favourite author doesn’t hit the write note for you next time round.
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I saw your post on Hamnet and it’s made me a bit nervous about it now. So much hype. I can’t seem to post comments on your blog, it’s the weirdest thing. I can comment on a couple of other Blogger blogs I follow, but I always get this screen after pressing comment that says ‘Ooops’. I’m logged in too!
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Thanks for trying. Thatās so frustrating to hear about the comments. Iāve had numerous discussions with blogger over the year who assure me there is no such problem!! They are currently updating the dashboard platform, hopefully the commenting part is on the agenda.
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Oh no, I have such high hopes for Hamnet and am looking forward to purchasing a nice copy as soon as I feel safe enough to go back into my bookshop.
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My copy of Hamnet arrived from Booktopia last week. I’ll still read it, I’ve heard wonderful things about it along with more mixed opinions.
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It could be just me Tracey. Iām having a bad run with books atm.
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YIKES! That must be so disappointing for you after how much you loved The Night Circus. I really liked The Night Circus too, although I have to admit, it’s been a hugely long time since I read it and I’ve yet to read this one. However, I can relate to the crushing disappointment of reading a second book by the author where you’ve LOVED their previous book and having that second book be an utter fail for you, for whatever reason.
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It’s so disappointing and kind of weird, like you just can’t understand where the second book has even come from!
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Well, knock me down with a feather! I was sure you were going to love this one! But good on you for putting it down – life’s too short! I really need to get better at abandoning books that I *know* aren’t for me (even if they “should” be)…
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I’m full of surprises! š I even revisited your review on it so I could glean some insight but I was clearly missing something with this book. I’m becoming quite the pro at abandonment this year. š
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