Comments | meri_weather: As tedious as a king...

meri_weather

As tedious as a king...

Jan 18, 2009 22:59

After a year and some odd months, I have finally finished one of the most tedious books that I have ever had the displeasure of slogging through. The book, “Henry & Clara: A Novel” by Thomas Mallon, initially sounded very intriguing:

Henry Rathbone and Clara Harris were engaged to be married, when they were invited to share the Presidential box ( Read more... )

Comments 9

princess_mia January 19 2009, 17:52:56 UTC

Hmm... Well, it sounded like it was promising there for a bit! What a strange story though, to be step siblings and then get married. Kind of gross, in a way.:P And, for him to murder her in the end!
I hate it when people try to fill in modern thoughts and actions when writing about another period in history. Its so annoying!
I stop in the middle of books all the time... lol. I read a lot though.:) Some books just aren't worth finishing!

Life is stranger than fiction... meri_weather January 19 2009, 19:43:56 UTC

*I stop in the middle of books all the time ( ... )

Re: Life is stranger than fiction... princess_mia January 19 2009, 22:44:12 UTC

I try to tell myself that a book won't get any better, so I will put it down and not continue to waste my time.;) I know how it is to want a book to be good though. Especially when the story sounds like it should be good!;)
Life is to short to waste on horrid novels though.;)
So, can you read several books at one time then? I used to be especially bad at that. Now, I try to limit myself a bit, since I don't have as much time to spend reading.;)
That is a interesting point, since then you would know your in laws well.;) And, it would be easier to know where you were spending your holidays! lol. Did mental illness run in his family? Perhaps that is a reason to not marry your step sister, she will drive you insane?
Seriously, its a tragic story....

Re: Life is stranger than fiction... meri_weather January 20 2009, 06:19:16 UTC

I don't think mental illness ran in his family, but I am not certain as I don't know that much about the Rathbones.

*it would be easier to know where you were spending your holidays*
How funny. I didn't really think of that. :D

Thread 5

augustine January 19 2009, 23:02:30 UTC

I found a book that used some historical facts to weave a tale full of modern perceptions.

That does explain one reason it would be the "1994 New York Times Notable Book of the Year"...

meri_weather January 20 2009, 06:32:30 UTC

I know... And I always approach modern literature with such high hopes. You would think that I would learn by experience, but I seem to approach modern literature with the hopeful proposition of "Doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different result." :P

misspinki777 January 28 2009, 23:52:11 UTC

Sorry this book was a waste of your time sweetie. I'm amazed that the author was able to get it past a publisher with so many historical inacurracies. On the same note, it's not entirely impossible to have relations during that period and keeping it a secret; scandals have been around in every era after all. ;)

The only reason I can see how it might have made a NY Book of the Year list, is by many people 'thinking' it was something that it just wasn't and well...you know. ;D

I would say the next time you read a book from someone who's actually enjoyed it, that way, you won't be disappointed or will know ahead of time what to expect. :)

meri_weather January 29 2009, 00:50:40 UTC

*LOL* Well, that would certainly reduce my reading selections. Since I am constantly reading and am fairly broad in my reading, I tend to read books that friends have recommended, that critics have recommended, that have landed on the NYT bestseller list, that have won awards, and that just strike my fancy. I've read enough to know that you just can't win them all... Oh well... My greatest problem is not knowing when to give up. It's a rare day that I won't finish a book, but there are a few that I just couldn't force myself to finish ( ... )