The Poisonwood Bible & the how come?

unthoughtknown · Feb 10, 2010

Firstly, I don't read much fiction. I am trying to change that. I write this post as a reader and not a writer.

As far as TPB is concerned, I have attempted multiple times to try and finish reading this book. I really, really wanted to, especially when it is proclaimed to be brilliant--yada yada. And I can see the snippets of brilliance in the actual writing, but for some reason it just didn't entice me enough to keep reading. So about half way through, I gave up. It made me really sad though and I feel disappointed that I couldn't finish it.

I actually thought I had reached a point in my lifestyle (having a little one and all) where I didn't have time to read fiction! I realised that was not so when this week I breezed through Jami Attenberg's The Melting Season in a few days.

So... how do you feel when you can't get through a book that everyone else claims is excellent? Do you persist for the sake of it, or do you take the philosophy that life is too short to read a bad book (or not necessarily bad, but if you aren't enjoying, then you should just toss)?

PS - did anyone else feel this way about The Poisonwood Bible? Am I really alone on this one?

dgrintalis · Feb 10, 2010

If I can't get into a book, I don't beat myself up over it. My sister in law raved about Michael Chabon's The Yiddish Policeman's Union, and I mean raved. Other people said lots of good things, so I borrowed it from SIL. I read about 5 pages my first attempt, perhaps 8 the second, and maybe 10 the third. After that, I gave up. I could not get into the story at all.

I read an enormous amount in many genres (from Shakespeare to Stephen King), and every once in a while, there is a book that just doesn't do anything for me. When that happens, I don't force myself to read it. I read for enjoyment. If it's like pulling teeth from a sleeping tiger, I know it's not for me and put it down.

alleycat · Feb 10, 2010

I like Kingsolver's first books (Bean Trees, Pigs in Heaven, Animal Dreams), but didn't care much for The Poisonwood Bible, or much else of her later writings.

There are going to be classics and best-sellers that others rave about that one person will like while another person doesn't. I wouldn't worry about not liking TPB if I were you. There are a few classics that might be worth trying to read (or at least studying enough to understand what the story is about) even if you don't enjoy the book, but I don't think TPB fits into that group.

Caitlin Black · Feb 10, 2010

I have a few books that I couldn't get into, and they're lying fallow on the ground (well, actually, it's a special bookshelf for all the books I bought on whim and couldn't get into). Some of them I might get back into at some point, but most of them will never be read. I should just sell them, but I'm still unsure as to which books will or won't be read.

I've never read TPB, but I am from Adelaide, so we have that in common.

DrummerGirl · Feb 10, 2010

TPB - People raved and loaned it to me. I read it. Meh.

I kept waiting for the truly awesome stuff to happen, but, IMO, it went on and on and on until it mercifully came to an uneventful end.

Back then I was living under a "rule" to finish a book once I started. Especially if I'd already invested hours of my time to it. I have been set free! It was hard, but worth it. Honestly, if you're not into it, you're not into it.

There's so many awesome stay-up-all-night, page-turning, life changing books out there - dont waste your time on ones that dont appeal - especially when youre just getting back into reading...

And I'm Australian too

Go us!

(And I've been to Adelaide, so we have that in common

)

Edit: People may also rave because Oprah raved and Oprah has her own cult following

ElsaM · Feb 10, 2010

As a teenager I used to brag that I never left a book unfinished. These days I go with the life's too short philosophy. However, even when I do give up on a book I'll read the last page. I still want to know how it ends!

I haven't tried The Poisonwood Bible yet, and while I love the title I suspect it's not my usual fare.

unthoughtknown · Feb 10, 2010

Thanks for sympathising. (Good to see more Aussies here!)

I got through Atwood's Blind Assassin. I quite enjoyed it. But I know of someone who gave up with that book. Just an example.

Interesting how some connect to certain books and others don't. Drives you crazy as a writer though cause you can't help but want to connect to all. Anyway.

CaroGirl · Feb 10, 2010

The reason there are so many genres and subgenres, styles, lengths, and so on, is because people have different tastes and want different things out of the books they read. I was one of those who loved TPB but I've loaned it to friends who couldn't finish it.

Don't sweat it. Read what you enjoy.

kellion92 · Feb 10, 2010

I liked Poisonwood Bible and the Blind Assassin, but I have a lot of trouble with Michael Chabon. I like Kavalier and Clay, but I thought Gentlemen of the Road was pretty hackish, and I couldn't get through Summerland, which was classically bad MG that wouldn't have been published if it was written by you or me. That's all the tries I've given him.

One book that bored me was Michael Cunningham's The Hours, and I fond of Virginia Woolf.

Jamesaritchie · Feb 10, 2010

I can't make it through half the books I pick up. It doesn't bother me. If I don't like a book, I don't like a book.

Phyllo · Feb 10, 2010

I just checked and found my bookmark still at page 115 of Posionwood -- at least a year after I started. I remember being really excited about the premise and then getting bored (oh look, it's Leah's POV again ... yawn).

But I've also found that while there are instances where my feelings towards a popular book doesn't mirror the majority, sometimes it's just a question of timing (i.e., not in the mood for this back at that particular time -- I can pick it up many months or years later and find it enjoyable).

I agree with the posts that say life is too short, so if I'm not enjoying the story after 100 pages (150 max), I set it aside. BTW, just finished Gil Adamson's The Outlander, a great read.

Perks · Feb 10, 2010

The Poisonwood Bible is one of my alltime favorite books (as is her latest, The Lacuna) but it really is a matter of taste. I used to feel compelled to finish a book whether I was enjoying it or not, but there's something to be said for getting older and realizing the value of an hour.

There are plenty of books flagged as important or wonderful that I didn't care for. I could never make it through Cold Mountain and I despised The Lovely Bones. Neither Catcher in the Rye nor Wise Blood moved me in the slightest and they're deeply respected works.

Don't worry about it. That's why they make all flavors.

Birol · Feb 10, 2010

I've never read The Poisonwood Bible, but if you're having to force yourself to read it, then it's not entertaining you, is it? And that's okay. All it means is that The Poisonwood Bible isn't your cup of tea. Thankfully, we're allowed our own tastes and our own preferences.

lucidzfl · Feb 10, 2010

Birol said:
I've never read The Poisonwood Bible, but if you're having to force yourself to read it, then it's not entertaining you, is it? And that's okay. All it means is that The Poisonwood Bible isn't your cup of tea. Thankfully, we're allowed our own tastes and our own preferences.

Wrong. EVERYONE is going to love my novel!

RainyDayNinja · Feb 10, 2010

No matter how popular or "good" something is, there will always be people that can't stand it. Just try reading the 1-star reviews of classic literature and films on Amazon, and you'll see what I mean. To each his own, and all that.

IceCreamEmpress · Feb 10, 2010

What I always say is "This is why they publish thousands of books a year--nobody likes everything."

I can tell you why I like The Poisonwood Bible, but that's me. You probably liked lots of books I didn't like. De gustibus non disputandum est.

MumblingSage · Feb 10, 2010

I had a friend who found the subject matter of TPB disturbing; never read it myself. I try to keep a 'Live and let live' philosophy about reading books, particularily popular or critically acclaimed ones. I know people who will make you feel like a philistine if you haven't read Classic Novel A as many times as they have, and it's pretty annoying. I used to try to read/reread classics just to keep up with them, but in time I realized it wasn't worth it.

Devil Ledbetter · Feb 10, 2010

I loved The Poisonwood Bible. But I really had to force myself through to the end of two critically acclaimed books: Chabon's The Adventures of Kavalier & Clay and Ian McEwan's Atonement. I finished them, but not without feeling aggravated, impatient and annoyed. Both seemed overwritten and overblown to me.

It's okay not to like books the critics like. I am going to start giving myself permission to throw them at the wall.

Arkie · Feb 10, 2010

I read near 150 books a year and I read a variety. I ranked The Poisonwood Bible in my top five for last year. I thought it remarkable how Kingsolver handled the multiple points of view and I thought the story got stronger as it went along. To many novels kind of fade at the end.

I'm trying to read Margaret Atwood, I think because of her reputation. I'm having difficulty. I am a quarter way through with "The Year of the Flood," and I don't quite know what to make of it. If it don't get better quick, I may not finish. I think this is what's called speculative fiction, which evidently is not my cup of tea.

I read "Catcher in the Rye" last week and don't understand how Salinger made his reputation on that single small novel; although, he had gained a reputation for the articles he wrote for the New Yorker Magazine, among others. I think Twain wrote the better YA books, with "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," and "Huckleberry Finn." But I know why I think that. It is because Twain's books are set in the geographical area near where I grew up and I can relate, and Salinger wrote about an area foreign to me, of which I can't relate. I believe geographical setting is a key factor why some readers like certain novels and others dont.

Libbie · Feb 10, 2010

The Poisonwood Bible is literary fiction, and that's just not up everybody's alley. I really enjoyed it, but I've always liked Barbara Kingsolver's style. It's not going to be something everybody digs on, though. You shouldn't feel guilty for not preferring it -- even though it's an acclaimed novel, that doesn't mean absolutely everybody will like it.

It only means most of the reviewers who read it thought it had a lot of artistic merit. It sure doesn't say anything about your own taste, so don't sweat it.

DrummerGirl · Feb 10, 2010

MumblingSage said:
I know people who will make you feel like a philistine if you haven't read Classic Novel A as many times as they have, and it's pretty annoying. I used to try to read/reread classics just to keep up with them, but in time I realized it wasn't worth it.

I once read a quote to the effect of:

Classics are something everyone wants to have read, but nobody wants to read.

Ruth2 · Feb 10, 2010

It took me five tries to get into "Pilgrim at Tinker Creek". Just couldn't get into it past the first few pages. The fifth time it connected with me and I read it three times that week. Loved it. Read a few more times that summer. Read it several more times that year. I'm still not sure why I kept trying to read it but it did pay off.

But hey, if it hadn't connected, no skin off my back, y'know? I'm not going to like everything and I'm pretty much of a lowbrow reader anyway. I never was one to read what everyone told me I should read.

PoppysInARow · Feb 10, 2010

I can't stand Catcher in the Rye, and I know people who adore the book. I tried, I really tried, but I just hate it.

Everyone has their preferences. That is why it's impossible to write the Perfect Book because everyone's idea of perfectio is very different. Someone, somewhere, will hate your book, even if a million others adore it.

Don't sweat the small stuff. Read something you enjoy.

Albannach · Feb 10, 2010

Arkie said:
I read near 150 books a year and I read a variety. I ranked The Poisonwood Bible in my top five for last year. I thought it remarkable how Kingsolver handled the multiple points of view and I thought the story got stronger as it went along. To many novels kind of fade at the end.

I'm trying to read Margaret Atwood, I think because of her reputation. I'm having difficulty. I am a quarter way through with "The Year of the Flood," and I don't quite know what to make of it. If it don't get better quick, I may not finish. I think this is what's called speculative fiction, which evidently is not my cup of tea.

I read "Catcher in the Rye" last week and don't understand how Salinger made his reputation on that single small novel; although, he had gained a reputation for the articles he wrote for the New Yorker Magazine, among others. I think Twain wrote the better YA books, with "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer," and "Huckleberry Finn." But I know why I think that. It is because Twain's books are set in the geographical area near where I grew up and I can relate, and Salinger wrote about an area foreign to me, of which I can't relate. I believe geographical setting is a key factor why some readers like certain novels and others dont.

Salinger did not "make his reputation" on that single small novel, although it was his best known work. What he wrote for the New Yorker was short stories. He also published Nine Stories, Franny and Zooey, and Raise High the Roof Beam, Carpenters.

I love many novels that are totally unrelated to where I live so I'm not at all sure I agree with your premise.

Edit: I read pretty widely in a variety of genres. I have to say I only managed about 10 pages of Poisonwood Bible. I couldn't get into the story at all even though it was highly recommended to me.

unthoughtknown · Feb 11, 2010

Appreciate all the responses. Something tells me I will try again with it at a later date. Hehe.

I've moved onto Hemingway's For Whom The Bell Tolls.

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