When the book was suggested, I immediately jumped onto my library's website and placed a request for the book. Already checked out with two other people waiting, I thought, "Hey, Vanessa! AWESOME pick!" And then, two days after Christmas, the library sent me notice that my requested item was in. I hurried on over, giddy with anticipation of reading this book. After all, Ishiguro has written many other books (five or six...I'm not sure which), and I'd read one of them (THE REMAINS OF THE DAY).
Meanwhile, my voraciously hungry fellow book clubbers (heheh. Book HUNGRY. get it? eh...whatever) were shooting emails back and forth, discussing the book. I tried not to read their opinions. I really did. But, I read them, and my heart sank. So much so that I didn't want to pick up the book.
But, I did, determined to form my own opinion.
Which turned out to be....EH.
At posting time, I am now about a third of the way through it (which is pg. 164 in the Large Print edition). And, I'm not all that sure why I'm not digging this book. It's kind of depressing, which is not a bad thing. Hello? Anyone who has stumbled on my blog on random Tuesdays knows how much I enjoy tragedy, the darker the better. So, that can't be it. Yes, the story is a bit meandering so far, but I'm sure there's a point. there has to be. Right? Or else, how could it spawn an award-winning book and a movie? Then the prose, while not overly poetic, flows well enough. Well, if I'm being honest here, it circles a lot before actually coming to a point. At times, I found myself more than a little confused, like the author's intention was for me to end up wandering far out into left field without any recollection as to how I got there.
So, the question you all might be asking yourselves right about now is: Will I finish it?
And the answer is....
I just don't know. *sigh* I hate that I'm even considering not completing it, as this will be the first time in my LIFE that I haven't finished a book that I started.
What do all you fine folks think? Should I soldier on? Or cut my losses? What would you do if were in my place? I'd love to hear about it in the comments! Oh, and then while you're at it, hop on over to my other Book Hungry gobblers' blogs and see what they had to say about it.
Until next month, folks, when Patty Blount has chosen THIRTEEN REASONS WHY by Jay Asher. I love her for this pick because I really did need an excuse to re-read this fantabulous book :)
My feeling? Heck, I don't have enough time to read all the books I truly WANT to read. Why would I squander my precious reading time slogging through something that isn't a good match for me?
ReplyDeletei was in your position and i chose not to finish it. i say STOP reading.
ReplyDeletealso, i think our two posts coincide quite nicely. you showed how you were confused and misdirected. i told how that was happening. (man, i have GOT to work on my showing vs. telling...)
I am like you, I hate not finishing a book. But I just couldn't on this one. So I told myself I would eventually finish it and that was enough to make me feel less guilty for not seeing it through to the end.
ReplyDeleteI became so discouraged by the comments (and accidentally spoiling myself on wikipedia) that I just couldn't muster up the energy to start. I say reading should be a rewarding experience. If you're not really enjoying it, there are better books out there. So: no guilt! Whichever way you choose.
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