Literature
The Depths of Despair: Books I Chose to Finish Despite Their Horrendous Quality
The Depths of Despair: Books I Chose to Finish Despite Their Horrendous Quality
As an avid reader, I generally finish every book I own. However, there are occasions when the endeavor becomes too daunting, and calling it quits is the only sensible decision. This article delves into some of the books that seemed so bad that I barely managed to finish them. Interestingly, some of these books prove to be quite the challenge due to their flawed storytelling and lore.
Fallen Torment Passion: A Spine-Chilling Paradox
One of the most perplexing series I encountered was Fallen Torment Passion. Despite being intriguing at first, the book series proved to be a detestable experience.
The series is a paranormal romance that revolves around two souls destined to find each other in past lives and reincarnations. The premise alone sounded fascinating, but the lore got so confusing that I found myself abandoning the series. I only managed to finish up to the third book in this vast series. My reasoning was that further enlightenment would require purchasing companion books, an option I found unwarranted. In the end, I called it quits.
Battlefield Earth: The Worst Novel Experience
One of the most egregious experiences came with Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard. The first 50 pages were enough to satisfy my disgust and I could not continue. It is characterized by poor writing and gaping plot holes, making it a colossal waste of time.
Ancient Evenings: A Frustrating Masterpiece?
Ancient Evenings by Norman Mailer allegedly received glowing reviews from critics and literary experts, but it failed to impress me. After reading 250 pages, I deemed it incomprehensible and finally put it down. I’ve never picked it back up.
The Scarlet Letter: A Lesson in Frustration
One instance where I weakened my resolve and finished a book that detracted much from the teaching experience was The Scarlet Letter. This 19th-century literature classic, assigned to my granddaughter, prompted me to purchase my own copy and follow along.
While the book itself is not particularly excellent, the lesson plan that accompanied it took an unfortunate turn. The teacher's questions pushed the class into discussing how prejudiced the townsfolk and community were, blaming Hester Prynne for the adultery and abandonment by her husband. I was astounded by the timeline inconsistencies presented in the book—saying it started with Hester in the stocks with a child's first birthday, and her husband not seen for at least two years. Yet, according to the assignment, her husband was leaving to join her, but Hester must have cheated within those 3 months!
The flawed logic and outdated language in the book further contributed to my frustration. Despite these issues, I finished the book and the lesson to have a profound question about the teaching methods and values.
Conclusion
My final thoughts on these books are that they were undoubtedly not worth finishing. Fallen Torment Passion, Battlefield Earth, Ancient Evenings, and The Scarlet Letter all faced different shortcomings that made them a challenge to read. However, for reasons ranging from not wanting to miss out on understanding the book's essence to personal disappointment, I managed to soldier through each of these reads.
As a summary, I regret not stopping earlier and advise that it's okay to abandon a book that doesn't meet your standards. Your time is valuable, and it's crucial not to waste it on poorly written, plot-holed, or outdated literature.