Unpopular Opinions

[Mabinogia]

4 minutes ago, MaggieG said:

I just thought it was ridiculous that I was told I should let my husband go see a movie by himself because I am not a "true" fan. Basically, I am not allowed to watch this movie. I'm sorry, but that is dumb as hell. I don't even hate SW, I'm just not into it. And I went with him because he went to see all the HP movies with me. Should I have said "No dear, stay home, you are not a true fan."

That is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard. I think it's awesome that you and your husband are willing to support each other's fandom. Good on you both. There are far more important things for me to get riled up about than whether a friend does or doesn't like a franchise I love. Now, if someone starts talking about how horrible Disney is I might have to cut a bitch! haha, kidding, I'll just feel very bad for that person and then ignore them because they have no sense at all. haha

As to hate watching, I just don't get it. With the millions of entertainment options we have these days, just go find something better to watch.

[Annber03]

1 hour ago, MaggieG said:

I'm not a SW fan, but my husband is and I have watched all the movies with him. We saw TLJ and I made a joke in our friend group that the only interesting thing about it was a shirtless Kylo Ren. I was pretty much raked over the coals by a friend who said that since I was not a "true" fan, I was not allowed to have an opinion. She also asked why I watched it since I don't really like it. I mentioned I saw with my husband because he wanted to go. She then told me I should have let him go see it alone. I didn't speak to her for 3 weeks after that. That was maybe a little petty on my part but I thought she was being ridiculous. 

I agree with you, that is a ridiculous response. Just wanting to spend time with your loved ones is a perfectly valid reason to go with them to something. Even if you don't care for a film/show/whatever, it can be nice to see those you care about enjoying it. Besides that, how are you going to know whether or not you'll like a movie unless you see it, right? 

And I HATE this "true fan" attitude that's popped up in fandom over the years. It's so obnoxious. The only time I'd ever really feel like somebody's not acting in the spirit of being a fan is if they're actively harassing/stalking/threatening the cast/crew/writers of the things they're a fan of, but if it gets to that point, it's less a "true fan" problem than it is a, "Hey, stop being a jerk/creep to people in general" problem. 

[Hanahope]

2 hours ago, MaggieG said:

Joining the HP discussion. I have been a fan since childhood and I definitely agree the fandom gets out of control. I didn't like Cursed Child and enjoyed FB but wasn't totally wowed. I was discussing the latest FB movie with a friend who is also a big HP fan. I told her a few things that I didn't like and she basically said "if you can't enjoy it, you're not a true fan." Which is stupid, but unfortunately people in the fandom feel that way. Or they they judge the heck out of people who only watch the movies, but don't read the books. 

Don't even get me started on the Star Wars fandom. I'm not a SW fan, but my husband is and I have watched all the movies with him. We saw TLJ and I made a joke in our friend group that the only interesting thing about it was a shirtless Kylo Ren. I was pretty much raked over the coals by a friend who said that since I was not a "true" fan, I was not allowed to have an opinion. She also asked why I watched it since I don't really like it. I mentioned I saw with my husband because he wanted to go. She then told me I should have let him go see it alone. I didn't speak to her for 3 weeks after that. That was maybe a little petty on my part but I thought she was being ridiculous.  I vowed to never take Harry Potter that seriously.

I'm a fan of all, but that doesn't mean I won't critique things about these movies.  Seriously, one can enjoy the stories, genre, etc. and still have issues with certain aspects of the story telling or the filming/editing/casting, etc.

[andromeda331]

4 hours ago, Annber03 said:

I agree with you, that is a ridiculous response. Just wanting to spend time with your loved ones is a perfectly valid reason to go with them to something. Even if you don't care for a film/show/whatever, it can be nice to see those you care about enjoying it. Besides that, how are you going to know whether or not you'll like a movie unless you see it, right? 

And I HATE this "true fan" attitude that's popped up in fandom over the years. It's so obnoxious. The only time I'd ever really feel like somebody's not acting in the spirit of being a fan is if they're actively harassing/stalking/threatening the cast/crew/writers of the things they're a fan of, but if it gets to that point, it's less a "true fan" problem than it is a, "Hey, stop being a jerk/creep to people in general" problem. 

So do I. Its ridiculous. Who is really anyone to decide who is a true fan or not? Your a true fan if you decide you are. If your actively harassing/stalking/threatening the cast, crew and writers. That's going to far. So is telling people that they are and aren't fans. They take all of the fun out of being a fan of HP, SW and etc.

[Minneapple]

6 hours ago, Annber03 said:

I agree with you, that is a ridiculous response. Just wanting to spend time with your loved ones is a perfectly valid reason to go with them to something. Even if you don't care for a film/show/whatever, it can be nice to see those you care about enjoying it. Besides that, how are you going to know whether or not you'll like a movie unless you see it, right? 

My husband and I trade off on choosing movies. I'm a geek so I like Star Wars, Marvel, et al, and he goes to see those movies with me. He likes action and comedy so when it's his turn to choose we see those movies. Nobody gets hurt. Also, sometimes we take the kids to see children's movies. I'm not sure if we're "true fans" of those or not.

[BookWoman56]

I don't really understand why there is this concept of a "true fan" anyway, whether books or movies. If you are a fan, then that means that overall you like and enjoy the books/movies, but there may be certain components that you don't like or think could have been done better. If by "true fan," these people mean someone who loves the books/movies without question, will not look at them critically in the slightest to identify even a small problem, and will not hear the slightest dissenting opinion without getting BSC, that's not a fan; that's a cult member. 

[Mabinogia]

14 hours ago, BookWoman56 said:

If by "true fan," these people mean someone who loves the books/movies without question, will not look at them critically in the slightest to identify even a small problem, and will not hear the slightest dissenting opinion without getting BSC, that's not a fan; that's a cult member. 

If that is what a true fan is, I don't ever want to be a true fan of anything. Blech! And yeah, that's a cult. I guess that's what they mean by cult following. lol (I know it's not, but it should be)

[proserpina65]

On ‎12‎/‎02‎/‎2018 at 7:05 PM, ouinason said:

I agree. I also hate the shit fits STILL being thrown about the epilogue of HP. Like the readers get to dictate the outcome of the story. 

The epilogue was legit terrible, but I deal with it by not reading it when I reread the last book.  Problem solved.  It's a lot easier than pissing and moaning about it forever on the internet.

On ‎12‎/‎06‎/‎2018 at 8:49 PM, andromeda331 said:

If your actively harassing/stalking/threatening the cast, crew and writers.

I think those people was definitely not good fans.  They're creeps.

Edited to note that some of the Star Wars fandom who have legitimate criticisms of the new movies get unfairly labeled as trolls or racist/sexist, whatever by the wider media, but that's not what I'm referring to.  Legitimate criticism is good, and any decision made by producers, writers and directors is fair game for it.  Harassing and threatening anyone, on the other hand, is completely wrong.

Edited December 12, 2018 by proserpina65

[Katy M]

32 minutes ago, proserpina65 said:

Edited to note that some of the Star Wars fandom who have legitimate criticisms of the new movies get unfairly labeled as trolls or racist/sexist, whatever by the wider media, but that's not what I'm referring to.  Legitimate criticism is good, and any decision made by producers, writers and directors is fair game for it.  Harassing and threatening anyone, on the other hand, is completely wrong.

Weren't there people saying that they wished the kid playing Anakin would die?  That's just insane.  He's a kid.  Even if he messed up the part (and I feel it was probably largely due to the writing and directing), he's a kid.  Assume he did the best he could and leave him alone.  Or, just critique his acting without wishing death upon him.

[starri]

I guess I have a really unpopular opinion, because I didn't mind the Deathly Hallows epilogue.  It certainly wasn't my favorite part of the book, but I walked away from the book more or less completely satisfied with how she'd tied everything up.  It really surprised me.

[proserpina65]

18 hours ago, Katy M said:

Weren't there people saying that they wished the kid playing Anakin would die?  That's just insane.  He's a kid.  Even if he messed up the part (and I feel it was probably largely due to the writing and directing), he's a kid.  Assume he did the best he could and leave him alone.  Or, just critique his acting without wishing death upon him.

Yep, those people (a minority but a vocal one) suck.  The kid was a terrible actor given terrible dialogue, but shit like that is indeed insane.

[auntlada]

8 hours ago, starri said:

I guess I have a really unpopular opinion, because I didn't mind the Deathly Hallows epilogue.  It certainly wasn't my favorite part of the book, but I walked away from the book more or less completely satisfied with how she'd tied everything up.  It really surprised me.

I liked it.

[GaT]

2 hours ago, auntlada said:

I liked it.

I liked it too, & don't understand all the hate it gets. What did people want to happen? Harry being proclaimed King Of The Wizards, & all bow down before him? Hermione moving to America & starting a "free the house elves" campaign? Ron buying an ice cream truck &....oh wait, that one really happened, never mind. Anyway, what did people actually want to happen that didn't happen? 

[Spartan Girl]

I liked the epilogue too. And not just because my shipping needs were satisfied, LOL.

[nodorothyparker]

11 hours ago, starri said:

I guess I have a really unpopular opinion, because I didn't mind the Deathly Hallows epilogue.  It certainly wasn't my favorite part of the book, but I walked away from the book more or less completely satisfied with how she'd tied everything up. 

I've never had any strong feelings about it either way, but I don't mind it either.  Everybody ending up with their high school boyfriend/girlfriend settling into what are basically government jobs probably isn't what I would have chosen for them, but it makes sense for the story Rowling set up.  Harry wanted to belong.  He wanted a real family more than he ever wanted to be the greatest wizard ever or whatever.  So for all of them, it's a happy ending.  That's good enough.

[HazelEyes4325]

1 minute ago, nodorothyparker said:

I've never had any strong feelings about it either way, but I don't mind it either.  Everybody ending up with their high school boyfriend/girlfriend settling into what are basically government jobs probably isn't what I would have chosen for them, but it makes sense for the story Rowling set up.  Harry wanted to belong.  He wanted a real family more than he ever wanted to be the greatest wizard ever or whatever.  So for all of them, it's a happy ending.  That's good enough.

I remember not liking it when I read it, but I can't remember why I didn't like it.  Now, I don't have strong feelings either way about it.  I do feel it's a tad predictable, but I feel it pulls it off better than most books/shows/movies that try something like that.

[Browncoat]

I'm fine with the epilogue, but I would have preferred if Harry had become a Hogwarts professor -- he was so good at teaching Dumbledore's Army! -- and eventually perhaps Headmaster. 

[DearEvette]

my biggest peeve with the epilogue is that Harry named one of his kids after Snape and hailed him as a hero.  I feel likeI am the cheese that stands alone, but I lived through seven books of Snape being an utter asshole to Harry. No amount of the trip through his memory and love for Lily could ever make me like him.  Harry may have been Lily's son but he was also James' too and I always felt like Snape got a perverse pleasure out of torturing James' son even as he had to protect Harry because he was Lily's too.  And IIRC, didn't Snape intimate that he would have happily co-signed on Voldy killing James and Baby Harry is Lily got to live?

Edited December 14, 2018 by DearEvette

[Wiendish Fitch]

Re: The Deathly Hallows

Nowadays, I'm just happy when any story just ends already, even if it ends badly. I like closure in fiction, which is why I hate the reboot/sequel craze. Some stories have a limited shelf life, Harry Potter is one of them.

 

I don't even like reading series anymore, because the idea of reading them for years and years sounds like a chore.

[proserpina65]

15 hours ago, GaT said:

I liked it too, & don't understand all the hate it gets. What did people want to happen? Harry being proclaimed King Of The Wizards, & all bow down before him? Hermione moving to America & starting a "free the house elves" campaign? Ron buying an ice cream truck &....oh wait, that one really happened, never mind. Anyway, what did people actually want to happen that didn't happen? 

I thought all the major characters being married to other major characters, rather than one or two of them eventually meeting other non-book people -  like with school friends in real life - was a bit dopey.  But my biggest problem with the epilogue was that it was completely unnecessary.  I didn't need to know what happened ten (or however many) years later; I was fine with the story ending with the immediate aftermath of the defeat of Voldemort.

[truthaboutluv]

16 hours ago, Spartan Girl said:

I liked the epilogue too. And not just because my shipping needs were satisfied, LOL.

And that’s probably one of the many reasons I hated it, as I hated every single romantic pairing in the series. And I mean every single one, even including the much beloved James and Lily. And reading Rowling’s post Harry Potter books have only further convinced me that she plain sucks at writing romance.

She relies completely on cliches, I rarely end up liking the two characters in the pairing and in fact always find that they become increasingly unlikeable the more the romance progresses. Goodness knows I wanted to throw both Ron and Hermione in a fire the more their “romance” progressed and I thought Harry with Ginny was as equally annoying and obnoxious as she was.

And it’s worse trying to read the books now that I’m much older. Prisoner of Azkaban and Order of the Phoenix will always hold a special place in my heart but I will never re-read the shitfest that was Half Blood Prince.

How’s that for an unpopular opinion.

Edited December 14, 2018 by truthaboutluv

[Spartan Girl]

Speaking of endings, here's another (possibly) unpopular opinion: I hate Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events.

I didn't in the beginning.  Hell, I used to love those books, they were so addicting.  Even when they got crazy with the VFD conspiracy and adding tons of new characters, I still stuck with the books, thinking that whether it was happy or sad, we'd get an actual ending.  And then The End came.  And it was just one big misnomer.  We didn't get an ending, all we got were even more questions that they never bothered to answer?  We never got the whole story about VFD, we never got any answers about who that creepy man and woman are, the bad guys NEVER got their comeuppance, Mr. Poe NEVER got called out about what one big epic fail he was, and we never really find out what happens to the Baudelaires.  Yeah, Count Olaf died, but it was in a completely unsatisfying way.  There was no sense of closure.

I tried reading the prequel books but I just couldn't even keep up with it.  I can't even watch the Netflix show (even though I heard it was good) because it's just going to reopen those wounds.  

And then there's the thing about Daniel Handler harassing people, but to be fair, I was gone from that fandom long before that news broke.

Edited December 15, 2018 by Spartan Girl

[HazelEyes4325]

1 hour ago, truthaboutluv said:

And that’s probably one of the many reasons I hated it, as I hated every single romantic pairing in the series. And I mean every single one, even including the much beloved James and Lily. And reading Rowling’s post Harry Potter books have only further convinced me that she plain sucks at writing romance.

 

I guess my UO is that I didn't ship anyone in the entire HP series.  Even the characters that did come together--Ron and Hermoine, Ginny and Harry, Tonks and Lupin, all seemed nonsensical to me.  Part of this was that I read them as an adult, instead of as a contemporary of the characters and the only one of those pairings involved adults (and, well, they didn't stick around long...).  Also, while I don't think HP is children's literature, I do see it as literature about children and I just can't quite ship kids, even if they reach an age where they would be dating and such IRL.

[Black Knight]

The problem I have with the epilogue is that Rowling wrote it long before she actually finished the series itself, and it shows. It's of a piece with Philosopher's Stone rather than the more mature, complex writing of the later books. And that's why it has stuff like, as was mentioned upthread, an "ewww, not Slytherin" reaction; why it's excessively tidy and almost simplistic in the way it wraps things up; why it just lacks the feeling of seven books of characters and plot having occurred. It's not that I object to how everyone ended up love-wise and work-wise (although I personally preferred Harry/Hermione, but I knew that wasn't where things were going), just the way that it was written. If Rowling had actually written the epilogue at the time she wrote the seventh book, I think it would just have been written differently even if she kept all the outcomes the same. There's just something missing, a certain weight or resonance or depth, I don't know exactly what to call it. The characters don't feel like they lived through everything that they did, because at the time she wrote that epilogue, she hadn't written most of what they would live through.

It's not bad, any more than Philosopher's Stone was bad, it just could have been better. I wish her editor had asked her to try writing a second epilogue once she finished the final book and then compare the two. She might have seen then that the original epilogue just wasn't quite in keeping with how her writing had evolved with each additional book, which were for increasingly older readers.

But like others here, I'm not sending hate tweets or anything. I just don't bother re-reading the epilogue.

[Neko]

Honestly, I had no idea people had such strong opinions about the epilogue when I read the series a few years ago (I didn't grow up with Harry Potter, and was late to the party).  To me, it was just an epilogue.  I read it and I thought, "Hm, okay, so that's what happens to everybody."  I didn't think about it, much.

[SmithW6079]

RE: Harry Potter's epilogue. I read the books a long time ago, but I was happy to see a happy ending for the main characters. 

But in the fans' defense, Rowling didn't help their discontent with her constant tweets about how she regretted the epilogue or what she would have changed if she were writing the books now. It was all very annoying, and she became tiresome.

[Neko]

I just read Anne of Green Gables for the first time, and I didn't like it, much.  I understand why it's so cherished, but the writing style was very much of its time, and I couldn't stand Anne.  She grated on my last damn nerve.  SHUT.  UP.

[Wiendish Fitch]

6 hours ago, Shakma said:

I just read Anne of Green Gables for the first time, and I didn't like it, much.  I understand why it's so cherished, but the writing style was very much of its time, and I couldn't stand Anne.  She grated on my last damn nerve.  SHUT.  UP.

I like the first book, but began to dislike Anne by the second book, where she became inexplicably maternal to that terrifying demon spawn Davy (you know, the one who was upset that he didn't get to see his sister fall down the stairs?)

[andromeda331]

On ‎1‎/‎9‎/‎2019 at 10:21 PM, Shakma said:

I just read Anne of Green Gables for the first time, and I didn't like it, much.  I understand why it's so cherished, but the writing style was very much of its time, and I couldn't stand Anne.  She grated on my last damn nerve.  SHUT.  UP.

 

21 hours ago, Wiendish Fitch said:

I like the first book, but began to dislike Anne by the second book, where she became inexplicably maternal to that terrifying demon spawn Davy (you know, the one who was upset that he didn't get to see his sister fall down the stairs?)

I didn't either. I really tried because I really loved Road to Avonlea but I couldn't get into and didn't like Anne either.

[Neko]

I'm watching Anne With an E on Netflix, and I'm liking it slightly better than the book, but I'm only one episode in.  I think the actress who plays Anne does a pretty good job.

I haven't read any other books by L.M. Montgomery.  People tell me that her Emily series is better.

[Blergh]

 I loathe virtually all the Star Wars EU books for the reason that not only did they deliberately sabotage virtually all the movies' characters but they quickly veered into torture/perp porn with the books reveling in the protagonists' suffering and villains' sadism & cruelty! Alas, not only did Mr. Lucas not only greenlight these authors letting this happen, he seemed to JOIN them rather than just let his remarkable saga end on the high note of Return of the Jedi! BOO to him for trashing everyone and everything we'd been following! 

Edited January 19, 2019 by Blergh
bolding

[Dandesun]

On 1/10/2019 at 3:36 AM, Wiendish Fitch said:

I like the first book, but began to dislike Anne by the second book, where she became inexplicably maternal to that terrifying demon spawn Davy (you know, the one who was upset that he didn't get to see his sister fall down the stairs?)

I do have irrational love for the Anne books. In a way, they're like a nice pot of tea and a fuzzy blanket on a rainy day. But man, the twins and the over-whelming favoritism was a bit much. Dora was good and boring so no one really liked her all that much. Meanwhile, Davy who was fucking awful and MEAN was a precious lamb that everyone just couldn't help but love. I mean, yeah, I get that it's more fun to write characters that get up to shenanigans but Dora didn't have to be written as perfectly and naturally angelic. Even her handwriting and grammar was perfect and boring. Really? REALLY?

[Rose Quartz]

On 1/18/2019 at 11:02 PM, Blergh said:

 I loathe virtually all the Star Wars EU books for the reason that not only did they deliberately sabotage virtually all the movies' characters but they quickly veered into torture/perp porn with the books reveling in the protagonists' suffering and villains' sadism & cruelty! Alas, not only did Mr. Lucas not only greenlight these authors letting this happen, he seemed to JOIN them rather than just let his remarkable saga end on the high note of Return of the Jedi! BOO to him for trashing everyone and everything we'd been following! 

I remember being so excited when the first EU books came out in the early (mid???) 90s because I wanted to see what had happened to the characters after the movies ended.  But by the time I finished Timothy Zahn's trilogy I didn't care anymore because I thought Mara Jade was a massive Mary Sue.

[starri]

If there's a Mary Sue in the Zahn books, it's Thrawn.  

[Joe]

1 hour ago, Rose Quartz said:

I remember being so excited when the first EU books came out in the early (mid???) 90s because I wanted to see what had happened to the characters after the movies ended.  But by the time I finished Timothy Zahn's trilogy I didn't care anymore because I thought Mara Jade was a massive Mary Sue.

I liked her at the start, when she was all rough edges. But as they smoothed her off, making her an acceptable love interest for Luke, they took away everything interesting. Her death was a mercy killing.

[BookWoman56]

On 11/19/2018 at 11:25 PM, Pachengala said:

I would read the crap out of this book—please write it! Have you read Remnant Population by Elizabeth Moon? It’s not exactly what you’re describing but it’s about an older woman who contrives to get left behind when her community evacuates the planet they’ve colonized, because they’re all annoying and she wants to be by herself already. 

Oh, I’ll add the unpopular opinion that if I found myself in a dystopian future, I would not care *at all* about the survival of the species. 

Thanks very much for the recommendation of Remnant Population. I read it in the last couple of weeks and really liked the first part of the novel, where she figures out her plan for staying behind and then enjoys the solitude. In terms of the survival of the species, I would probably want to help make sure that happens, just out of curiosity to see if humans can learn from their major mistakes or if they would do the same stupid shit all over again. 

[Pachengala]

13 hours ago, BookWoman56 said:

Thanks very much for the recommendation of Remnant Population. I read it in the last couple of weeks and really liked the first part of the novel, where she figures out her plan for staying behind and then enjoys the solitude. In terms of the survival of the species, I would probably want to help make sure that happens, just out of curiosity to see if humans can learn from their major mistakes or if they would do the same stupid shit all over again. 

Oh good, I'm glad you enjoyed at least some of it! It does go a bit off the rails when 

Spoiler

the aliens show up, but as a childhood superfan of the uber-cheesy movie Enemy Mine, I bought right into it. 

Now I'm reading Americanah both for my book club and for our library's Everyone Reads selection for 2019. It's not at all what I was expecting and I'm glad I went in blind. 

[babyhouseman]

On ‎2‎/‎12‎/‎2016 at 3:18 AM, Reghan said:

The Great Gatsby

I could not read that book in high school, and I'm a bookworm who can read a variety of books and enjoyed the books I read in high school and college. 

[babyhouseman]

On ‎4‎/‎20‎/‎2015 at 4:16 PM, Wiendish Fitch said:

I hate, with every fiber of my being, Edward Rochester from Jane Eyre.

I've just started reading this thread so I don't know if the book Wide Sargasso Sea has been mentioned. It's from the perspective of the "crazy" wife. I read it in college and enjoyed it.

[babyhouseman]

On ‎7‎/‎24‎/‎2014 at 11:23 AM, ramble said:

Speaking of, ick, 50 shades, my teen daughter told me she counts points against intelligence based on one's love of this series. She told me this & then added that her stepmother loves it so much she has more than one copy. Ha. She also noted her stepmother told her once she's a bit older she should read it because it's so romantic. First, shut it step. My child is still thankfully more interested in her academics than worrying about romance. Second, romantic? The hell? I'm with @ExplainItAgain regarding this series & romance. You keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means.

It's one of the most unromantic books I've ever read. Good things that came out of it was the snark on the internet that made me laugh, and it got me to reading erotica that is so much better.

[Mabinogia]

It terrifies me that women find that series romantic. Christian Grey is a forking creep! 

[ramble]

I completely agree with the quote I read somewhere on the internet that said like if 50 Shades was about a dude living paycheck to paycheck in his trailer it wouldn't be “romantic,” it would be an episode of Criminal Minds. 

[andromeda331]

On ‎2‎/‎9‎/‎2019 at 4:33 PM, Mabinogia said:

It terrifies me that women find that series romantic. Christian Grey is a forking creep! 

Me too. How? He is a controlling, stalking psychopath. 

2 hours ago, ramble said:

I completely agree with the quote I read somewhere on the internet that said like if 50 Shades was about a dude living paycheck to paycheck in his trailer it wouldn't be “romantic,” it would be an episode of Criminal Minds. 

Sad but very, very true.  Which I'll never understand. There are real wealthy men who have committed horrible crimes murder, abuse, rape. Nothing in his behavior is okay or romantic. One half of a romantic pairing shouldn't make you be thinking he belongs in an episode of Criminal Minds. He shouldn't tick off all the boxes of domestic violence and/or cult brainwashing. 

[peacheslatour]

On 2/9/2019 at 3:11 PM, babyhouseman said:

I could not read that book in high school, and I'm a bookworm who can read a variety of books and enjoyed the books I read in high school and college. 

The book I could not read in high school was The Grapes of Wrath. I too am a total bookworm and my English teacher knew it so he excused me from reading it and had me read Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin instead. Much better.

[Katy M]

1 minute ago, peacheslatour said:

The book I could not read in high school was The Grapes of Wrath. I too am a total bookworm and my English teacher knew it so he excused me from reading it and had me read Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin instead. Much better.

I managed to get through The Grapes of Wrath in HS, but ugh.  Two whole chapters about a turtle crossing a road.  Yeah, yeah, even I got the symbolism of that, but boooring.    We read Of Mice and Men the same year and I loved that, and I recently read East of Eden and loved that also.  But, as far as I'm concerned Grapes was not Steinbeck's best work.  

[Wiendish Fitch]

My favorite L.M. Montgomery book is The Blue Castle. I like how it was about a woman experiencing an early midlife crisis, but she deals with it in a non-destructive way. 

[Neko]

7 hours ago, Katy M said:

I managed to get through The Grapes of Wrath in HS, but ugh.  Two whole chapters about a turtle crossing a road.  Yeah, yeah, even I got the symbolism of that, but boooring.    We read Of Mice and Men the same year and I loved that, and I recently read East of Eden and loved that also.  But, as far as I'm concerned Grapes was not Steinbeck's best work.  

Is it unpopular if I think Cannery Row is woefully underrated?

[Anduin]

A Song of Ice and Fire. Jon Snow and Sansa Stark are pretty much the same idea in two different areas. Someone who is too idealistic getting their dreams crushed and have to survive. It annoys me when people love Sansa and hate Jon. If Sam Snow had gone to the Wall, while Jane Stark had gone to Kings Landing, the story would have been much the same.

However, I prefer Jon's story to Sansa's. It's the one with swords and adventures, rather than beatings and politics. But I acknowledge the similarities between the characters.

[Katy M]

10 hours ago, Anduin said:

A Song of Ice and Fire. Jon Snow and Sansa Stark are pretty much the same idea in two different areas. Someone who is too idealistic getting their dreams crushed and have to survive. It annoys me when people love Sansa and hate Jon. If Sam Snow had gone to the Wall, while Jane Stark had gone to Kings Landing, the story would have been much the same.

However, I prefer Jon's story to Sansa's. It's the one with swords and adventures, rather than beatings and politics. But I acknowledge the similarities between the characters.

People love Sansa and hate Jon?  I can't stand Sansa. She's a spoiled brat.  I think she matures a bit as the books go on, but she's probably one of my least fave characters.  I like Jon.  I think he just got a bit idiotic (and by a bit I mean a lot) towards the end.  He couldn't read a room. Or a wall, I guess.  You know nothing, Jon Snow:)

[Anduin]

1 hour ago, Katy M said:

People love Sansa and hate Jon?  I can't stand Sansa. She's a spoiled brat.  I think she matures a bit as the books go on, but she's probably one of my least fave characters.  I like Jon.  I think he just got a bit idiotic (and by a bit I mean a lot) towards the end.  He couldn't read a room. Or a wall, I guess.  You know nothing, Jon Snow:)

Yeah, on Vassals of Kingsgrave podcast. Given how similar the characters are, I found it quite annoying. Maybe I should be posting this on their forum.