Have you ever read a book that you loved but you wanted to smack the narrator? I'm not talking about unreliable narrators or even villians but unlikeable narrators. The purpose of this thread isn't to rip apart books or wallow in negativity but I am truly interested if others have had similar conflicted emotions about a book.
Let me share a few examples.
About ten years ago I read The Patron Saint Of Liars by Ann Patchett. I became engrossed in the story right away but the main protagonist tested the limits of my patience. She was selfish and, apart from the fact that she is a woman, very hard to relate to. I found myself questioning her choices again and again and even wondered if I was being too harsh in my judgment. In contrast, I loved the book and thought Patchett was a writer to be appreciated and read. I'm not sure my reaction is one this author would have expected from one of her readers.
Another book that I like is What's Eating Gilbert Grape by Peter Hedges. It could really be placed in Young Adult Fiction and none would be the wiser. I think it is a fun, dark comedy but here's the rub...Gilbert, the narrator, is not a character that I like all that much. I'm not saying a reader must like everything a character says and does but Gilbert didn't exactly inspire confidence. He's tested and endures a lot of crap but he seems aimless and bitter throughout the book. I have softened on my criticism of this book, however, but I use it as an illustration.
So, what are some books that you feel conflicted about? And to balance out the negativity please share a book that you have the opposite feeling about. There are many books that have wonderful, witty narrators and the reader hates to leave that imaginary world. Scout Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird for instance.
Please share your thoughts.
Let me share a few examples.
About ten years ago I read The Patron Saint Of Liars by Ann Patchett. I became engrossed in the story right away but the main protagonist tested the limits of my patience. She was selfish and, apart from the fact that she is a woman, very hard to relate to. I found myself questioning her choices again and again and even wondered if I was being too harsh in my judgment. In contrast, I loved the book and thought Patchett was a writer to be appreciated and read. I'm not sure my reaction is one this author would have expected from one of her readers.
Another book that I like is What's Eating Gilbert Grape by Peter Hedges. It could really be placed in Young Adult Fiction and none would be the wiser. I think it is a fun, dark comedy but here's the rub...Gilbert, the narrator, is not a character that I like all that much. I'm not saying a reader must like everything a character says and does but Gilbert didn't exactly inspire confidence. He's tested and endures a lot of crap but he seems aimless and bitter throughout the book. I have softened on my criticism of this book, however, but I use it as an illustration.
So, what are some books that you feel conflicted about? And to balance out the negativity please share a book that you have the opposite feeling about. There are many books that have wonderful, witty narrators and the reader hates to leave that imaginary world. Scout Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird for instance.
Please share your thoughts.