Disappointed by a book from a favourite author?

annis · Post by **annis** » Sat October 2nd, 2010, 7:05 pm

Posted by MM Bennetts

Also, and this is not historical fiction, I've always been a huge fan of Dick Francis, but the book where he brought Sid Halley back--it was his third outing--that read like flat champagne. It had once had sparkle but now, nothing.

The Dick Francis/Felix Francis books aren't a patch on the original DF novels, and the latest couple have been real dogs.

laktor · Post by **laktor** » Sat October 2nd, 2010, 9:17 pm

[quote=""Michy""]I loved Rutherfurd's Sarum and London (I liked-but-not-loved Russka and The New Forest, and didn't read his books on Ireland). I was so looking forward to New York, since I would love to read a really good history of the city and who to do it better than Rutherfurd, right? I was soooo disappointed; the book was a total dud. Maybe the problem was that I listened to an audio version that was condensed (so all the good parts were cut out?). Has anyone read a printed version? Is it any good?[/quote]

I just finished reading New York barely 2 weeks ago and enjoyed it. In your terms, I liked it but didn't love it. Still, I found it well worth my time. It must have just come out in paperback as I saw it in the bookstore today. I've never "listened" to a book before and I really don't care to. But if I did, it would have to be the complete edition, not abridged. Russka, I got about 3/4 through and quit. Just couldn't bother with finishing it. As for his Ireland books, I read the first one and enjoyed it, although the story got a bit bogged down and I got a bit confused with the characters toward the end. Haven't read the second one yet. On another note, Edward Rutherfurd came to Toronto last fall for a book signing but I didn't go. I have seen John Jakes and Ken Follett in person and had my books signed.

rockygirl · Post by **rockygirl** » Sun October 3rd, 2010, 12:13 am

The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver. No matter how I try, I can't get past chapter 5.

Gabriella · Post by **Gabriella** » Sun October 3rd, 2010, 1:20 am

I loved Philippa Greogy's 'The Other Boleyn Girl', the 'Wideacre' trilogy, and most all the other books she has written that I have read. But when I read 'The White Queen' I was sorely disappointed.

laktor · Post by **laktor** » Sun October 3rd, 2010, 6:28 am

[quote=""Gabriella""]I loved Philippa Greogy's 'The Other Boleyn Girl', the 'Wideacre' trilogy, and most all the other books she has written that I have read. But when I read 'The White Queen' I was sorely disappointed.[/quote]

I bought "The Other Boleyn Girl", the first novel of hers I tried reading, but quit after about 1/4 of the way into it. I found it dull.

Kveto from Prague · Post by **Kveto from Prague** » Sun October 3rd, 2010, 6:39 am

ive only read two books from him so i dont know if he can qualify as a favourite, but Graham Shelby's "knights of dark reknown" was a face paced tale set in the end of the crusader state. his "villains of the piece", set in steven and matyldas civil war, was dishwater dull.

rockygirl · Post by **rockygirl** » Sun October 3rd, 2010, 12:12 pm

[quote=""laktor""]I bought "The Other Boleyn Girl", the first novel of hers I tried reading, but quit after about 1/4 of the way into it. I found it dull.[/quote]

I thought I was the only one here who didn't like it.

Actually, I'm not too keen on PG.

Ash · Post by **Ash** » Sun October 3rd, 2010, 3:08 pm

Youre so not alone; I read OBG and I didn't care at all for the characterization of Anne. Because my sis loved her work so much, I tried to read Queen's Fool and Virgin Lover and found so many off the wall interpretations of characters, as well as glaring inaccuracies that I was turned off from her books totally. That being said I am curious to revisit her view of Mary Boleyn after rereading Wolf Hall. I really liked Mantel's take on her, and am trying to remember what Gregory did with her.

Not HF, but I have been rather disappointed by the last couple of Pratchett books. I do wonder if his illness is getting in his way. He has a new one out and I'm getting it and crossing my fingers.

Other non HF authors who have disappointed me: Amy Tan, Anne Tyler, John Irving. All three started out great, then little by little their books started sounding like retreads.

SCW · Post by **SCW** » Sun April 1st, 2012, 5:49 am

"A Place called Freedon' and 'Jackdaws' by Ken Follett.
'The Constant Princess and The Virgins Lover (worst novel about Elizabeth the First I have ever read) by Philippa Gregory.

annis · Post by **annis** » Sun April 1st, 2012, 6:22 am

The book I'm just reading - Counting the Stars by Helen Dunmore. The story of Roman poet Catullus and his married lover Clodia is as limp and damp as the sheets the lovers roll about on in the sticky heat of a Roman summer. Neither character exhibits any personality trait but tedious self-indulgence and the volatile political events of the time barely get a nod.

I've enjoyed others of Dunmore's novels, but this one is distinctly "meh". An opportunity missed.