BS: What books would you NOT reread?

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 08 Oct 16 - 10:56 AM

I do hate the way you can see Hardy's characters setting themselves up for their downfall. Far too true to life.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Oct 16 - 12:08 PM

There are still people who haven't read these novels. Please don't offer up spoilers.

Jim said "Re-reading is difficult and even counterproductive" - to which I must disagree. Re-reading is very productive and allows one to do a "close reading" of a text. Particularly useful for scholars.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: fat B****rd
Date: 08 Oct 16 - 12:23 PM

It may be some sort of heresy, but, I tried a few pages of "The Girl On The Train" and found myself disliking the narrator intensely. Maybe that was the author's intention. If so she succeeded admirably in my case. I notice the film version has been moved to America and has an attractive leading lady.
Yours, getting older and crabbier
Charlie

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 08 Oct 16 - 01:12 PM

There are books I find myself rereading by accident. Looking at the first page at our dance club charity bring & buy, not recognizing it till after I've bought it again.
I usually finish books even if I wonder why afterwards, but The Popes Rhinoceros has been on my bedside table for weeks - about 2 chapters in - I've no idea what it's all about. It's going back for someone else to plough through.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 08 Oct 16 - 02:08 PM

the naked lunch

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Gurney
Date: 08 Oct 16 - 06:29 PM

'On the Beach' by Nevil Shute. Ive read all of the rest and enjoyed them, but this post-apocalyptic novel, concerning the last hopeless, dying humans on Earth, ruined my sleep for a long time.

Kim C, I re-read and sold my old Louis Lamour paperbacks recently, and got a good price for them. There was a small bidding war.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 08 Oct 16 - 06:42 PM

Given that there only seem to be two copies of Dick's brother's roman à clef for sale anywhere in the world, at rather silly prices, it doesn't look like many people have to worry about picking it up by mistake:

Rufus Miles: Marsh Heirs

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: michaelr
Date: 08 Oct 16 - 06:42 PM

Mein Kampf.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Oct 16 - 08:27 PM

I read quite a few Nevil Shute novels also, Trustee from the Toolroom was fascinating. On the Beach was a thoughtful and remarkable book - but I agree, reading it once was enough. :)

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 08 Oct 16 - 08:39 PM

Cor, I never read fiction so I can hardly answer this. The non-fiction books I read I tend to dip in and out of, so I can't really discard any of them. I suppose there must be something wrong with me.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: fat B****rd
Date: 09 Oct 16 - 07:01 AM

"The Klansman" by William Bradford Huie. Not a criticism of the author. I just found it upsetting.
Yours wimpishly
Charlie

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: keberoxu
Date: 09 Oct 16 - 07:06 PM

The book "Damage" on which the Miranda Richardson/Jeremy Irons film was based -- I didn't go near the film after looking at the book. It is brilliant, as a well-made watch/clock is, and a cold and heartless bit of writing. Reading it left me feeling chilled to the bone.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 09 Oct 16 - 07:40 PM

Well I don't understand that. As a non-reader of fiction who's tried to read fiction, I find that I know after ten pages whether I need to just ditch the book and seek out something a bit more life-affirming. Try Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante in E flat K.364. Why would you flagellate yourself by sticking with something so cold and negative?

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: keberoxu
Date: 09 Oct 16 - 09:38 PM

I had to find out how the darn thing ended! The book was well-written enough to keep you turning the darned pages...

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Jul 25 - 03:05 PM

I agree with Jim Carroll, I love the writing of Hardy,Mayor of Casterbridge, Tess, the Woodlanders, Under The Greenwood Tree , all worth re reading in my opinion

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: robomatic
Date: 05 Jul 25 - 08:18 PM

I rarely re-read anything. I believe I re-read "Little Big Man" a long time ago, because the author wrote s successor novel that re-visited the characters and gave them all satisfactory denouments, if I'm using that word correctly.

Now reading a very interesting novel by the late Harry Thompson: "This Thing of Darkness." It is a fictionalized historical recounting of the lives of Captain Robert Fitzroy of H.M.S. Beagle, and his erstwhile friend and co-traveler, Charles Darwin. I may have to re-read this.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jul 25 - 10:44 PM

Anyone who wants to follow my books on Good Reads can send a PM and I'll send a link. I enjoy seeing what other people are reading on that site.

I should note that I created a category there called "Never-gonna-read" that has four books in it at the moment. That allowed me to express my disdain for books I read about that sounded really awful or self-serving, or books I started that I simply couldn't finish.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 06 Jul 25 - 03:08 AM

I suppose someone must have liked these books that we can't stand. Perhaps the fault lies within ourselves.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 06 Jul 25 - 03:12 AM

lovely to hear the voices of some folk from the past...Jim, Peace

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 06 Jul 25 - 03:58 AM

Bram Stoker's "Dracula"

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Charmion
Date: 06 Jul 25 - 09:15 AM

“Mein Kampf” was a set book in one of my history courses at uni. At the time, I wanted to wash my mind out with soap. Chances that I would read it again? Absolute zero.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Nick Dow
Date: 07 Jul 25 - 02:26 PM

My guilty pleasure! I actually like Dennis Wheatley! Even though he has no style and was the first to admit it, he could tell a good story (sometimes). I am amazed nobody has given him a good kicking on this thread. Every body does elsewhere, and with some justification. Sorry! I like him. A huge suspension of disbelief and an ability to be easily pleased helps enormously. An ability to forgive him for his heart being in the wrong place is also an aid to your literary pleasure. (or not)

https://www.google.com/search?q=dennis+wheatley+interview&sca_esv=8fe472cf0c0bad30&udm=7&biw=1358&bih=650&ei=6Q9saNPJH5HrhbIPhIi

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 08 Jul 25 - 01:58 AM

I don't remember reading many Dennis Wheatleys. They used to advertise them on the back of the radio times with a picture of a naked lady tieed up. So I did read one.

No naked lady in tethered or otherwise in my book.
It was about a secret agent - Gregory Sallust.
It was World War 2,
Gregory had fallen into the hands of the Germans. Interrogated by Herman Goering himself, Gregory says bring me a bottle of brandy and map of Europe and (not many people know this) it was Gregory whopoints out that rather than kill him what Herman should do is invade Russia - thus losing the war!

I was only fourteen, but I seem to remember thinking - this is complete cobblers! But then again, who knows....

Tells a GOOD tale...? Hmmmm!

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Nick Dow
Date: 08 Jul 25 - 02:14 AM

Like I say, suspension of disbelief! If you want worse than that, try 'The man who missed the war'. So bad it's good!

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 08 Jul 25 - 06:51 AM

Iain Banks's Complicity. A nasty, gonzo-style tale about a nasty, gonzo-style journalist, and the exceedingly nasty disposal of certain nasty other persons in inappropriately appropriate ways. I bought it in the local OxFam bookshop, read it, then was so ashamed of having read it to the end that I put it back in the tray outside the shop without saying I'd done so to the staff. I'd only picked it up on the strength of the author's name (he's "Iain M Banks" to SF readers); it's put me right off him. The sort of book I want to wash my mind out with bleach after reading.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 08 Jul 25 - 08:44 AM

Anything by Franz Kafka.

His so-called writings were forced on me in my senior year of high school. I was put into a class - against my will - where the teacher was a Kafka fanatic. I managed to get through two short stories and started The Castle when I couldn't take anymore. I threw everything down in disgust and stopped attending that class.

I honestly do not know what anyone sees in Kafka. For me, crap is crap.


Jay

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Jul 25 - 10:19 AM

MaJoC, I'll one-up you on the bad book redistribution. I had The War of Art by Steven Pressfield (he probably got the book accepted for publication solely because of the title, that was the only great thing about it.) I tossed it into the recycle bin to repulp the paper for a better use.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 Jul 25 - 10:28 AM

I must admit that I enjoyed Dennis Wheatley in my youth too, Nick. I recall, or maybe misrecall, that there was a considerable amount of antisemitism in some but I suppose I should reread some to check that out!

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Nick Dow
Date: 08 Jul 25 - 07:34 PM

He certainly wasn't a liberal. Most of his family loathed him especially his grandchildren. He also wrote some out and out porn which was never published entitled 'The Lusty Youth of Roger Brook' He did meet some interesting people including Rollo Ahmed 'Strange Conflict' and Aleister Crowley 'Mocata The Devil Rides out'. Allegedly both of them tried to tap him up for a loan!

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 09 Jul 25 - 07:04 AM

which is the Dennis Wheatley one with the naked blonde tied up?

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Nick Dow
Date: 09 Jul 25 - 12:20 PM

None of them. That was just Pan books trying to flog his work. Interestingly and on the same subjectof nudity, he believed the 1970's adaption of 'To the Devil a Daughter' was obscene and refused to allow any more of his books to be filmed. In the 1930's 'The eunuch of Stamboul' was filmed as 'The spy in white' (I think) with James Mason. It wasn't bad by the standards of the day. He could tell a good story sometimes. Not sure I would reread or re-watch it though.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: robomatic
Date: 09 Jul 25 - 02:15 PM

This was a listening experience. I often left the radio on while doing late night homework in college. One night I picked up a broadcast that sounded like a Shakespeare play. I was taking a Shakespeare course and I'd never heard this one. I had tuned in during the action, and there were no narrative pauses. I was not familiar with the characters' names but they sounded Roman. The action was vicious and violent, I'd never heard anything like it.
Some of you may know where this is going.
There were several bad guys and the main one had gotten a woman pregnant. She was a wife but not his wife. A nurse brings him the baby and he orders her to kill it. Then he kills the nurse, live on stage which for me of course was still the radio. It was pretty hard to concentrate on calculus at this point. I was kind of wondering what this would do to my getting to sleep while curious if I could stay up until someone announced whatthehell I was listening to.
Don't even think I told the worst part. Which for me were the vocal sound effects of some of the characters as they were tortured.
Well, it was Shakespeare. Those of you who know the plays will know the one I'm writing about because it's in a class by itself. I did NOT talk to the Shakespeare instructor about it. (It was all I could do to remember Kin Lear). I heard off the cuff that an English Shakespeare group staged it and audience members were fainting during the performance.
It was Titus Andronicus.
One of my favorite BBC series was "I Claudius". It was on TV and had plenty of sex and violence. But it was a walk in the park compared to the sounds and suggestions in my loaf during that radio rendition.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Helen
Date: 09 Jul 25 - 04:47 PM

This book is a stand-out, "that's a couple of days of my life I will never get back" example for me. (Note: I couldn't remember the name of the book or the author, and luckily her surname is at the beginning of the Wiki list of Oz female authors of fiction so I found her details within seconds.)

Glenda Adams: Dancing on Coral

It won an award, it had a blurb which talked it up to the max, and I persisted through it, thinking it would possibly redeem itself by the end, but no!

I read it in the late 80's when I worked in the local public library. I still vividly remember that never-to-be-repeated experience and every time I saw the book on the shelves I would get that same dragging feeling again.

Since then, if a book is grinding slowly forward, not progressing, I skip to the end and read that to see if it is worth reading the rest of the book.

Disclaimer: other readers might have loved it. Not me.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Charmion
Date: 10 Jul 25 - 05:27 PM

I think Shakespeare was brought up on ballads, like Child Owlet and Long Lankin. That’s the only possible explanation for Titus Andronicus.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 14 Jul 25 - 07:05 AM

Pretty well all of the books on our bookshelves that have been read. Not because they are bad or anything, just that there are piles of other books still waiting to be read: my husband has a great heap of them at his side of the bed, and I have a similar stack on my side - then once read, they get passed to each other, so the mountains remain high!

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Rapparee
Date: 14 Jul 25 - 12:14 PM

The Art of the Deal.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Jul 25 - 12:51 PM

10 out of 10 on that one!

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Mr Red
Date: 14 Jul 25 - 12:57 PM

The Art of the Deal

the buk wot he rote?

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 15 Jul 25 - 01:02 AM

the buk wot ghostwriter Tony Schwartz rote, so it would seem.

(Retching noises in background.)


Jay

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: gillymor
Date: 15 Jul 25 - 07:55 AM

The Electric Look Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe did not age well and along somewhat similar lines Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson. Some Thomas Mcguane from that era holds up well though, like 92 in the Shade and The Bushwhacked Piano.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Helen
Date: 15 Jul 25 - 02:35 PM

gillymor, or is it The Eclectic Look Day Dice Set? LOL

It's all right, I knew which book you meant, although I haven't read it.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 15 Jul 25 - 03:53 PM

I still have nightmares after finishing Precious Bane more than 60 years ago.

Charlie Ipcqr

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: gillymor
Date: 15 Jul 25 - 05:21 PM

Helen, I was screwed again otto-carrot.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: gillymor
Date: 15 Jul 25 - 05:22 PM

forgot the "by".

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Helen
Date: 15 Jul 25 - 06:14 PM

Oh, I just thought you had been sampling the wares recommended in the book. :-D

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: gillymor
Date: 15 Jul 25 - 07:14 PM

I responded with a druggie remark, Helen but I guess it was beyond the pale.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Helen
Date: 15 Jul 25 - 07:45 PM

Oops! I must have overstepped the mark. Sorry! My bad.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Helen
Date: 15 Jul 25 - 08:00 PM

This is a slight detour off-topic, but I keep thinking of a book I absolutely loved but I have never been able to re-read it. It's The Glass Bead Game by Hermann Hesse.

When I first read it I was transported into a gentle world, like being air-lifted into a breath-takingly beautiful atmosphere. I hung on every word. When I have tried to re-read it I know that I cannot get back into that wondrous feeling. It's just words on a page. So it is an experience I had about 50 years ago which cannot be repeated, but I still remember it with that quiet joy.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: gillymor
Date: 15 Jul 25 - 08:10 PM

Ditto that, Helen I was also entranced by Magister Ludi but have no desire to reread it. I enjoyed most of those Hesse books back in the day, Demian, Siddhartha, Steppenwolf.

Subject: RE: BS: What books would you NOT reread?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Jul 25 - 09:56 PM

Helen, a book like that for me was Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy. It was astonishing, but so dramatic and violent that once was enough.