Same here. Although I rarely even give it 50! A quick glance at my bookshelf and I probably have almost 20 books that are partially readOriginally Posted by Brice
If a book doesn't grab me immediately I usually move on. My only exception is a few King stories like Lisey's Story or Insomnia. I had to finish just because, even though I really didn't want to
And I really enjoyed Under the Dome. And considering it's length I didn't think it dragged at all.
Only the gentle are ever really strong.
Granted I haven't read the books myself yet, but I have a friend who is obsessed with the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon and from how she's described it to me, that sounds a lot like the series. Minus the not Earth thing.
From wikipedia:
The novel is not easily classified by a single genre. On one level, the work is a romance novel with a focus on the romantic relationship between the two main characters. The book could be described as a work of historical fiction with a detailed account of 18th century Scottish clan life. The novel could also be considered science fiction with a plot propelled by time travel as Claire journeys from 1945 to the 18th century.
I am Daenerys Stormborn and I will take what is mine. With fire and blood.
I read the Outlander series recently. An easy way to describe it while yet not doing it justice is calling it The Matrix, but better.
"So many vows. They make you swear and swear. Defend the King, obey the King, obey your father, protect the innocent, defend the weak. But what if your father despises the King? What if the King massacres the innocent? It's too much. No matter what you do, you're forsaking one vow or another."
Can you elaborate? what is a character expected to do? what exactly is wrong with sitting in a cell for 500 pages? what kind of problem do you mean?
Ask not what bears can do for you, but what you can do for bears. (razz)
When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)
bears are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
King used to be able to write a classic and have it end in 500 or less pages. He'd breathe life into his characters, put them through hell and break your heart and it wouldn't take you a lifetime to finish that book.
I don't need any further physical proof than my bookcase. The first shelf is early works, up to Misery. The next one starts with Tommyknockers. That shelf has less books because they're thicker and is made up of King's less desirable works. We can all find redeeming qualities in all of them but for the most part, they're bloated and not as consistently mind-blowingly amazing.
Jean, are you really going to tell me King hasn't been overwritting lately? Seriously, I'd rather re-read The Shining than take a chance on Dreamcatcher.
Oh yeah, I'm reading Phases of Gravity by Simmons and The Flood by Ian Rankin. I don't usually read two books at the same time but Simmons is a limited edition and I'm not taking it to work. I'm liking it so far but I'm 60 pages in and don't really know which way the book will go.
I totally agree. The only book I have liked in last (don't really know how many) years is UTD, and the only one I loved was Duma Key. No, my question was different: I just don't understand the kind of complaint feverish has voiced. I do not see how the main character's doing or not doing this or that, being active or passive, winning or losing, talkative or silent, says anything about the quality of a book.
Ask not what bears can do for you, but what you can do for bears. (razz)
When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)
bears are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There's nothing wrong with it as a contingency in the story, but when you stick your central character in that situation, the one who - up until that point - was fleshed out the most and had the most layers to his persona, and leave the rest of the (painfully uninteresting) supporting cast to carry the narrative forward, then the story becomes dull. That's my problem with it.Can you elaborate? what is a character expected to do? what exactly is wrong with sitting in a cell for 500 pages? what kind of problem do you mean?
Hmm, I think I need to put UTD and Duma Key on my 'to-read' list for next year. And also improve my reading speed - still haven't finished American Gods yet. (Just 60 pages away from finishing, as well!)
Never be cruel and never be cowardly. And if you ever are, always make amends.
You are a walking talking Doctor Who encyclopedia to me. - Melike
Duma Key is one of my favorites by King.
Only the gentle are ever really strong.
bears' too!
feverish: now that you put it this way it makes perfect sense. It sure can seem (it didn't to me, but I see very well how it could) a big structural flaw. In fact, it most likely is.
Ask not what bears can do for you, but what you can do for bears. (razz)
When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)
bears are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't think that's a valid statement, in that Barbie is an important character in Under the Dome, but there are lots of other very interesting characters in there too. I see it more an ensemble cast than many of King's other books, such as The Shining, Misery, etc, which do feature one or two main characters. Think The Stand, another ensemble cast that works very well.
John
Please don't compare the cast of The Stand to that of Under The Dome. Please.
I am afraid most misunderstanding between readers and UTD stem from their attempt to compare the two.
Ask not what bears can do for you, but what you can do for bears. (razz)
When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)
bears are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i was just commenting that both novels have an ensemble cast, unlike others of King's works. That's all. Don't read more into my comment than that.
John
Read Full dark, No Stars.
I am waiting for November 8th to get here so I can get my hands on a most anticipated book that I have been waiting for and now it is coming to an end that week. The last book in the Christopher Paolini series. Inheritance comes out that day. Will Eragon take down Galbatorix in this story...am waiting on pins and needles for this one.
on another note will also get the third book in the Abarat series also this month as I just found out it came out in September and didn't even know it.
Does whatever a spiderman does.
Listening to something short in anticipation of 11/22/63 out next Tuesday. Frank Muller's reading of the Shawshank Redemption is simply awesome.
DT Spoiler - Enter at your own risk!
Spoiler:
The Grimm Brothers fairytales
Bad Moon Rising, third time. Amazing book.
Storyslinger ... IS THAT YOU !?!?!
In the text! How's it going?
at last!!!
Ask not what bears can do for you, but what you can do for bears. (razz)
When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)
bears are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You guys will make me blush.
come to the Castle, tell us everything
Ask not what bears can do for you, but what you can do for bears. (razz)
When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)
bears are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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