About a month ago, I mentioned in a post that I had recently read a couple books that I loved, and one book that “completely irritated me.” I was surprised by the number of commenters who were curious about that book — the one I didn’t love. The one that bugged me.
Since then, I’ve been debating whether or not to talk about it. My general approach is to not bash too many books (or products, or pretty much anything) on this blog. If I read a book I really don’t like, I usually just don’t mention it at all.
But since so many of you wanted to know more, I decided on a compromise this time. I won’t give you the title, and I won’t link to it. But I will tell you a bit about this oh-so-irritating book.
The book was about three women who were all married to one man. Not at the same time, but over the course of his life. Three very different women, one obnoxious man.
Presumably, the novel was meant to explore life, and marriage, and how women often find themselves in unfulfilling or unhealthy marriages.
I’m not sure what I expected. The writing was fine — nothing about the prose or structure of the book bothered me. The premise was even intriguing.
But something was missing, big time.
I guess perhaps I’ve come to take it for granted, but in order for me to truly enjoy a novel, I need to identify with one of the characters. Or if I can’t identify with a character, I need to at least like one of the characters. I want to cheer for the protagonist, root for the underdog, hope for a satisfying resolution.
But in this book? I couldn’t stand any of the main characters.
The husband — the man who married all three of the women featured in the novel — was a jerk. He was an opportunist, a user, a liar, a self-indulgent brat. One reviewer of the book claimed that she “wanted to hate him” but just couldn’t. Well… I came pretty close. Not a single redeeming quality.
And what about the three women? Maybe I’m just hard-hearted, but I found it difficult to pity any of them. Each of the three married the guy for no good reason. Not one of them went into marriage thinking clearly. They didn’t question a thing about the man, they barely knew him, they seemed desperate to get married to any random male who promised them love. Yes, he was a smooth talker. But he was a smooth talker without a bit of substance. But none of the three took the time to figure that out before becoming his next “Mrs.”
The wives were not jerks. I didn’t have anything against them, personally. It’s just it felt like I was “supposed” to feel bad for them…but I couldn’t. They jumped into marriage, were easily manipulated, and blindly trusted a man about whom they knew very little. I know this happens “in real life,” but a book about three of them in a row? I suppose I just didn’t have the patience for it.
There were a few characters I felt sympathy for — the man’s kids. But I didn’t feel they were sufficiently developed to redeem the book in my eyes.
I admit, I did read the book quickly. Not because it was so good, but because I thought that surely, surely I would find something redeeming, someone to cheer for, something to praise about the book. But, alas… I turned the last page and just felt…Ick. Ugh. Yuck.
Perhaps it came down to respect. I just didn’t respect any of the characters. The featured women could have avoided all their heartache and misery by using a little common sense.
Let me assure you, I am far more compassionate toward real people. 
I mean, I still think people should exercise common sense, but when they find themselves in a horrid situation, my heart goes out to them. Apparently, I’m a little tougher when it comes to novels.
So now you know. You know that if I feel like I can’t cheer for or respect the main characters in a novel, it really annoys me.
But what about you? What makes a novel highly irritating to you?
You are cracking me up!
I agree, if the people are unlikable and not self-aware about their shortcomings (I think that’s a biggie for me), I get irritated. I think that if the characters are likable, or at least sympathetic, I can make some concessions in plotline or content, but if they aren’t, I’m just bored (or irritated), and put it down.
.-= Jennifer, Snapshot´s last post ..Call Me Scoop =-.
Okay, I am really dying of curiosity now!
I read one recently that bugged me and I have to review it – and it was based on a true story.
I’m like you in that I really don’t want to post about books I did not enjoy, tis a waste of time to me–I post about books BECAUSE I enjoy them, ya know??
I gotta like the characters–at least some of them–somehow, for some reason…even just a bit…
I did read a book recently that annoyed me. Twas one where the characters seemed to be just a bunch of discontented, lamenting middle-aged women…at the beach in a glorious sounding beach house, no less! Talk about messin’ up a good book-in-a-beach-setting!
(And that is NOT me knockin’ middle age, as I celebrate my 40th year on this planet!!)
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That’s so great. One of the books I finished last week I really did not like. I’m not as kind as you; I did a mini review of it on my site. The only reason I continued reading was because I was reading it for a book club. We had the group discussion on Friday night and I still don’t like it. It was partially redeemed because we did have a decent discussion around the book, but that may just be because of the group.
Found out too that the author is working on another book. We are hoping it will be a “companion” piece rather than a sequel. The book I read did not deserve a sequel.
My conclusion was that there needs to be hope, a promise of redemption in the book. There just wasn’t any. None of the characters were “saved” in any substantial way. None of them changed their circumstances. I was like you, I felt ick at the end. Thank goodness there are soooo many other really good books to move on to after an experience like that!
I hear you about not wanting to bash books. At the same time, sometimes I think that the only way to really change the industry is to make it known when we REALLY do not appreciate something. It sounds like this book wasn’t a hill to die on or anything. =D And I’m still curious but glad you wrote up as much as you did!
I struggle with what to do with books I don’t like. I know myself better than I ever have before and so I have managed to avoid a lot of books that I think I either wouldn’t have liked or have been so-so on. Recently however I was approached about a book that was HORRID. HORRIBLE. NASTY! I decided to tell the person what I thought of the book and why I wouldn’t be the right choice to help promote it. I felt they really needed to know.
And then I was approached about another book that I’m pretty sure I’m goign to take serious issues with. However, the author really wanted me to go ahead and read it and present my ‘honest thoughts.’ Since I feel like the author himself was forewarned – I’m going to go for it! I clearly laid out my disclaimer and so this one will be a first.
All that to say -there are definitely times I think “bashing a book” is in the best interest of everyone. And other times, it’s better to just not mention it. So I very much respect your decision and your lack of links.
Thanks for this post!
Just curious if this was The Women by T.C. Boyle? I didn’t hate it, but this description sort of matches up with the story, and I’m eager to discuss it with someone!
It’s probably wise not to bash like that, though I’m not very mature and if I wasted a few days on a book I will vent about it!
Hmm, I’m going to have to Google your book to figure out which one…? From your description of it, I am sure I haven’t read it.
I read a book recently that REALLY bugged me–and it really surprised me that it bugged me so much! It is a best-seller written by a man who writes lots of very popular love stories. I have always thought this author as a “good guy.” (Oops! I just mis-typed “good Buy”…that would be a totally different meaning, huh?) Anyway, I’ve always read this author’s books–light reads–and enjoyed them for what they were…entertaining stories of love.
However, this one really BUGGED me. In it, there is a girl who is practically engaged to a solid guy (but one she doesn’t especially connect wtih.) She ends up having an affair with her neighbor.
I kept reading and reading, and waiting to see what the consequence would be for her to cheat on her good guy boyfriend (almost fiancee).
But, there was NEVER a consesquence.
And that really bugged me. As if cheating is no big deal, as long as you find the man of your dreams while you’re cheating.
Ugh. I want to write a letter to the author, asking him about it. I just haven’t gotten around to it. I need to, though.
Okay, enough ranting here. Sorry to go on and on…
If an author fails to make characters that readers CARE about, she/he has failed. IMHO! I got really mad at a book that was first in a series but at the end DIDN’T tie up the threads of this 1st installment. I tossed it down and said I was going to buy your next book, but not now!
Things that irritate me in a novel (a few among several):
*Too much perfection. The heroine is perfectly dressed, perfectly beautiful and falls in love with a perfectly handsome guy. Bleh.
*Gratuitous, unnecessary language, violence and s*x. With only a very few exceptions, I maintain that including such elements only shows the laziness of the author. True talent can tell the story without resorting to crudeness. That’s my opinion, anyway.
*Characters without any depth, kind of what you’re saying here. A flat, cardboard characterization is very difficult to sympathize with or identify with.
*Easy, generic, everything-is-roses faith that lacks realism and depth. I like redemptive, Christian fiction. I do not like caricatures of Christianity.
Guess you could say I’ve got an opinion!
Great food for thought!
I agree with all your points!