Sunday 3 August 2014

My Secret Shame


The consultant at the Library of Unread Books had a very kind face and and after several false starts it was here that I finally confessed my secret shame. In a low voice, stumbling over details, I admitted that I had not finished the prize-winning novel 'The Luminaries' by acclaimed young author, Eleanor Catton. She listened patiently until I had run out of excuses and then, pointing to a green post it note, said gently "You are not alone...look...there was another refusenik here before you". As I read the words my shame fell away from me and I left feeling whole again.

18 comments:

  1. I liked it, but I feel your pain. Succinct and compact it was not. I still don't even understand what all the planets and signs had to do with it. But, I did marvel at the intricacy with which she wove the story. And unlike The a Truth About The Harry Quebert Affair, written by another twenty-something, this one at least sounded intelligent. :)

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  2. It is so freeing to realize that one is not required to finish a book one does not enjoy. Reject shame!

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  3. If the first 20 pages don't hook me then there's no shame in passing the book on to someone wiser, or more gullible ... that's always been my view.

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  4. Well done you, reject it and be proud.

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  5. Hear hear. Life's too short, and there are too many books waiting to be read.
    Corinne

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  6. Yes!!! Go green post it person!

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  7. I haven't, not even tempted. But I did finish The Goldfinch for book group - and can heartily recommend you not to bother. If only editors were braver with the red pencil! I didn't entirely hate it - but the longueurs were as long as real life.

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  8. Here, this should make you feel better: I hadn't even heard of it until reading your post. But I trust your judgement enough to steer clear of it if I ever run across it. Maybe even Luminaries the band, just for good measure. Read HP Lovecraft instead. -- Laura from VA

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  9. I didn't even attempt it, so you are ahead of me! And I completely agree with the comments above: it isn't worth persevering with a dud when there are so many amazing books out there! x

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  10. I have not heard of and therefore not read this book at all! I generally do not read prize winning books as I don't tend to enjoy them, and I have no compunction in not finishing a book that I do not like and/or am not enjoying! There are far too many other books to read out there. xx

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  11. Ha! (I find myself unable to read anything but Scandinavian mysteries at the moment. Maybe I should write that on a post-it and photograph it?)

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  12. I listened to it on Audible. I NEVER would have made it through without the lovely narrator.

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  13. Life's too short to drink bad wine or read a boring book. Go grab a decent cider and a book that catches you (which is different for everyone, so don't worry about not being a sheep)

    I sometimes worry that there is still a heavy element of The Emperor's New Clothes in books and culture. that if you don't like THE book of the year, it's because you are too thick/ill cultured/lazy (delete as applicable). I think just go with your interests and trust your own instinct.

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  14. Thank you, I shall nor bother with it.

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  15. NOT! sorry...

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  16. Agree with every word; such an unecessarily huge book - editor where art thou - and those bloody weather warnings or whatever at the beginning of each chapter... and I actually did read it to the end - a book club requirement...

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  17. I finished it, but wouldn't bother again.

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