An overhyped classic you really didn't like

[Triduana]

Wuthering Heights for me as well. It probably didn't help that I had to study it at school and read it several times, going through with highlighters. But I've tried to read it since and I just can't get through it.

Catcher in the Rye too. It's the only book I've ever thrown across a room.

[Fully_booked]

I often find that the word 'classic'is unreliable - yes, often the novels are filled with highly relevant themes or perhaps an interesting plot, however, many a time the actual wordcraft leaves much to be desired. Although it is almost blasphemous to say so as an English teacher and a writer myself, I could never find a love for Bronte or Austen. I appreciate their writing and do hold in high regard as a professional, but as just a lover of books - it is a no from me.

[Adrianna Melillo]

It's a tie: "Wuthering Heights" (every single character is an asshole) and "Portrait of a Lady" (which I've read 3 or 4 times, hope springing eternally that THIS TIME it will be interesting, and I'm always wrong)

For the same reason, I had a very difficult time getting anything out of Wuthering Heights Though, my favorite teacher told me to reread it in my 20’s, and I would likely get more out of it. I’ve yet to do so, but I suppose it’s worth a try.

[Peyton4]

I often find that the word 'classic'is unreliable - yes, often the novels are filled with highly relevant themes or perhaps an interesting plot, however, many a time the actual wordcraft leaves much to be desired. Although it is almost blasphemous to say so as an English teacher and a writer myself, I could never find a love for Bronte or Austen. I appreciate their writing and do hold in high regard as a professional, but as just a lover of books - it is a no from me.

I'm not an English teacher or a writer, and I still find it hard to say I hate a classic. For some classics, I think I just read them too early when I either didn't fully understand the meaning or I just wasn't at that reading level yet. It's hard to enjoy a book when every sentence feels like a translation. I've enjoyed classics more now that I understand them, but there are some I still dislike. Jane Austen doesn't do it for me either, and I have a special hate for "Lord of the Flies".

[TopaAzul062]

I don't hate it, but found it fairly difficult to get into Atlas Shrugged. It was hyped and praised for touching on important themes yet I struggled to get past a few pages. Even when assigned to read a specific section I couldn't do it.

Lord of the Flies was okay and I didn't finish Catcher in the Rye as it was a library book and haven't really gone back to finish. Catcher is different because I took interest after it was mentioned in this animated series because a quote from the book was highlighted and was used as a possible lead in an ongoing case at the time.

Most classics I can get through but some are near impossible.

[victoriasimons]

I found Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen really disappointing. I loved reading her other books when I was younger but found this one really disillusioning: all these women do is walk around and pine over men. I appreciate that this isn't really Austen's fault but rather an accurate portrayal of women at the time, but it was quite frustrating from my perspective.

[drwcroaker]

I really didn't enjoy Brave New World upon reflection. I wanted to like it because I felt like I should-- but it really wasn't a book that captured my attention at the first go around. I may reread it and maybe I will find something more in it, but it didn't live up to the hype that it was given to me in school.

I hear you. I have tried a few times to read BNW, but have never made it past page one. I want to read it, but my brain just won’t process Huxley’s prose.

[drwcroaker]

I just couldn't get through Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. The words just didn't seem to go in.

I forced myself to finish HOD because I love Apocalypse Now, but it was hard to slog through and I don’t feel enlightened for having read it.

[drwcroaker]

I didn't quite like Twilight series......Being a fiction I understand it being unreal but what readers want is to relate with the plot however bizzare or unreal it may seem....For me Twilight didn't serve that connection

Please tell me no one considers the Twilight books as classics! I had fun reading them but I doubt they will stand the test of time. Perhaps I’m just old?

[anaplasticCerebrum]

Heart of Darkness for me. While it was creepy, I found it too slow to enjoy. Perhaps I'll try again.

[mlh6fn]

So glad to see I'm not the only one who struggled with Wuthering Heights! I could only get half-way through before I had to put it down and move on. I also really wish I enjoyed Emma by Jane Austen, but I couldn't get over how much Emma played with everyone's lives so casually. Unfortunately, I was cringing too hard to find that famous humor.

[HanElizabeth397]

I didn't mind Wuthering Height but I don't like that it's called a historical romance. It's a story about a very abusive and manipulative relationship between two people. I also really didn't enjoy Great Expectations

[Siriusly_blank]

I am definitely not a "classics" person ...I just don't get the hype that comes with classics.

Thought Shakespearean plays are always a pleasure to read but I certainly didn't follow " The tempest". It had quite a lot of characters but it was Prospero , the protagonist, who got on my nerves. He was portrayed to be essentially good. He sounded less like a character more like a God . I would prefer him if he were a little less Noble hence more human. The entire plot is caused by his magic except the King's decision to marry his daughter far across the sea thereby giving Prospero the opportunity to exploit them. Miranda and Ferdinand's love plot wasn't intriguing like other Shakespearean love plots (like that of Portia &Bassanio ; Jessica& Lorentio's) .This play didn't just have that sweet bite of Shakespearean style.
I still like the play's essence , enchanting setting and vivid storyline.


The book I actually despise is the " Wuthering Heights" ... it's definitely an overrated edition.
The Lord of rings book series also failed to cast it's spell on me.

[Nhitra]

Honestly, I don't like Lord of the Flies. I know that people say or that it showcases conflicting human nature and for some time I did convince myself so, like most of us do with classic literature but I finally have to admit that I found it incredibly boring and meaningless.

[a_r_egerton]

I had to read Paradise Lost twice in college. It put me to sleep both times.