OD Theme of the week
I have never participated in these before, but as a resident English teacher to be this week’s theme seems relevant. The worst book I ever read was, unsurprisingly one I had to read for school. In fact the two worst books I ever had to read were assigned as summer reading going into my Junior year of high school. #2 worst on the list, incredibly boring, but I understood the significance and importance of it which is the only reason it’s #2 and not #1, John D. Niehardt’s Black Elk Speaks. Nevermind the writer’s given indian name is Flaming Rainbow, as quick a joke as anything could possibly have been in high school, I spent 3 weeks during my summer reading his book. To make matters worse, our teacher reassigned reading the book again during the school year over about a month. There were brief moments of nearly redeeming insights and beauty, but overall the story dragged the reader through as much pain as any of those walking the Trail of Tears. Like I said, I understood the meaning, significance, and importance of the book, but I and my classmates could not have been less interested in the book if we tried. It became a running gag over that month of school that we all voiced our wish that Black Elk had shut up.
Of course that is only the 2nd worse book I have ever read. #1 on my list may disappoint or anger some, based on it’s writer more than the book itself. First, I must say that this writer is in general very good, and I have read some excellent work of his, but I do wish this book had been left behind. The worst book I ever read by far is John Steinbeck’s The Red Pony. Perhaps it is only the worst because of the way in which it begins, and successively disappoints the hell of of the reader. The first chapter is actually not bad. As the story goes, this boy who lives on a farm gets a red pony for his birthday and he’s really excited about it. He loves this horse and can’t stop dreaming of one day riding him around, sort of like a western hero I’d imagine. In his excitement the boy brings his horse to school to show all his friends, but he has to leave it outside when he goes to class. While he’s in school, it rains outside and his poor little pony is left to stand in it. As you might have guessed, being left in the rain has made his pony very sick, and despite the boy’s best efforts and care, the pony dies. If that had been where the story ends this wouldn’t have been terrible at all. It would have made a very good short story, alas this chapter was only 20 pages of 130 or so. The boy spends the rest of the book whining and crying about how it’s his fault the horse died, which it is but we all know that. Nothing else seems to happen to move the story along at all, and I hated every moment I spent finishing that book. Although I have to say that reading it may not have been a total loss, only because of the reaction it afforded me. In my summer reading report I was clever, and it became one of my greater moments of writing when I summed up the book as follows: "100 pages of literally beating a dead horse." My English teacher found this funny enough to share with the class despite disagreeing with my assessment. Maybe I missed the point, but in my mind there simply isn’t one to be found in that book with any more weight than my own.
If you feel the need to defend one of the aforementioned titles in a note, feel free to try to explain the value of the literature to you. I may not agree with you since these traumatic reading experiences may have ruined these works for me, but I will listen. But if you have decided to steer clear of either or both of these books in your own reading thanks to me, you’re welcome.
Random noter: I can’t say I’ve ever read either of those books, and now I can say I’m very glad I didn’t! 🙂
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Random noter: I can’t say I’ve ever read either of those books, and now I can say I’m very glad I didn’t! 🙂
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Random noter: I can’t say I’ve ever read either of those books, and now I can say I’m very glad I didn’t! 🙂
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I’ve heard of the last book, but haven’t read either — guess I won’t be looking for those in the local library, LOL! Have a wonderful evening!
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I’ve heard of the last book, but haven’t read either — guess I won’t be looking for those in the local library, LOL! Have a wonderful evening!
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I’ve heard of the last book, but haven’t read either — guess I won’t be looking for those in the local library, LOL! Have a wonderful evening!
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“100 pages of literally beating a dead horse.” That’s hilarious, lol. I’ll remember to avoid those books.
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“100 pages of literally beating a dead horse.” That’s hilarious, lol. I’ll remember to avoid those books.
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“100 pages of literally beating a dead horse.” That’s hilarious, lol. I’ll remember to avoid those books.
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Never read them either. 🙂 In more recent literature, I hated The Lovely Bones.
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Never read them either. 🙂 In more recent literature, I hated The Lovely Bones.
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Never read them either. 🙂 In more recent literature, I hated The Lovely Bones.
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I’ve not read either of those two books. Although I’d like to submit mine as being The Road, by Cormac McCarthy. I’m baffled why that junk has become so popular.
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I’ve not read either of those two books. Although I’d like to submit mine as being The Road, by Cormac McCarthy. I’m baffled why that junk has become so popular.
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I’ve not read either of those two books. Although I’d like to submit mine as being The Road, by Cormac McCarthy. I’m baffled why that junk has become so popular.
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i’m inclined to read both books just to see if they’re really so terrible. thankfully, this is written well enough that i’m confident i can keep my curiosity at bay. for once. hahah. take care (=
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I’d read this entry but the font makes my eyes explode 🙁
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I’d read this entry but the font makes my eyes explode 🙁
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I’d read this entry but the font makes my eyes explode 🙁
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Random noter: I have read both of those books and concur to the nth degree. I also would like to add Beowulf, The Handmaid’s Tale and Ulysses to this list. I have read Beowulf and The Handmaid’s Tale multiple times and each time, just as painful. As for Ulysses, only James Joyce could write a 900 some odd paged book strictly based on one day in a character’s life. *shudders*
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Random noter: I have read both of those books and concur to the nth degree. I also would like to add Beowulf, The Handmaid’s Tale and Ulysses to this list. I have read Beowulf and The Handmaid’s Tale multiple times and each time, just as painful. As for Ulysses, only James Joyce could write a 900 some odd paged book strictly based on one day in a character’s life. *shudders*
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Random noter: I have read both of those books and concur to the nth degree. I also would like to add Beowulf, The Handmaid’s Tale and Ulysses to this list. I have read Beowulf and The Handmaid’s Tale multiple times and each time, just as painful. As for Ulysses, only James Joyce could write a 900 some odd paged book strictly based on one day in a character’s life. *shudders*
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“100 pages of literally beating a dead horse.” Freaking awesome. I bow to your genius, sir.
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“100 pages of literally beating a dead horse.” Freaking awesome. I bow to your genius, sir.
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“100 pages of literally beating a dead horse.” Freaking awesome. I bow to your genius, sir.
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I am an dedicated reader. I was FORCED to also read the Red Pony and agree. I did not get the point of this book. It was a terrible story. My teacher also highly regarded this book so maybe we should try reading it as adults see if it makes a difference. NOT! Haha Jaded Sunset (sorry didnt realize i wasnt signed in)
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I am an dedicated reader. I was FORCED to also read the Red Pony and agree. I did not get the point of this book. It was a terrible story. My teacher also highly regarded this book so maybe we should try reading it as adults see if it makes a difference. NOT! Haha Jaded Sunset (sorry didnt realize i wasnt signed in)
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I am an dedicated reader. I was FORCED to also read the Red Pony and agree. I did not get the point of this book. It was a terrible story. My teacher also highly regarded this book so maybe we should try reading it as adults see if it makes a difference. NOT! Haha Jaded Sunset (sorry didnt realize i wasnt signed in)
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I was very interested in reading your entry because 1. You’re my age, 2. You’re a guy, and 3. You’re an English teacher… … but can I just say that this font and color scheme are borderline impossible to see on my computer =( Let me know if you ever change it, lol, cause I’m interested in reading you…
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I was very interested in reading your entry because 1. You’re my age, 2. You’re a guy, and 3. You’re an English teacher… … but can I just say that this font and color scheme are borderline impossible to see on my computer =( Let me know if you ever change it, lol, cause I’m interested in reading you…
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I was very interested in reading your entry because 1. You’re my age, 2. You’re a guy, and 3. You’re an English teacher… … but can I just say that this font and color scheme are borderline impossible to see on my computer =( Let me know if you ever change it, lol, cause I’m interested in reading you…
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I liked the movie of “The Red Pony”. Maureen O’Hara, Henry Fonda were the parents, Ron Howard’s less cute brother was the boy, and one of the old cow – actually two – Jack Elam and Ben Johnson. It reminded me of my family, my husband’s family. I watched it on TV one cool summer night with my 5 yr old son sitting on my lap. It’s about fathers and son. Did you get that part? I think requiredreading is a bitch – books may or may not be good – but since you HAVE to read them, it’s hard to appreciate them. If you have a chance look at the movie. It was made in 1973.
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I liked the movie of “The Red Pony”. Maureen O’Hara, Henry Fonda were the parents, Ron Howard’s less cute brother was the boy, and one of the old cow – actually two – Jack Elam and Ben Johnson. It reminded me of my family, my husband’s family. I watched it on TV one cool summer night with my 5 yr old son sitting on my lap. It’s about fathers and son. Did you get that part? I think requiredreading is a bitch – books may or may not be good – but since you HAVE to read them, it’s hard to appreciate them. If you have a chance look at the movie. It was made in 1973.
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I liked the movie of “The Red Pony”. Maureen O’Hara, Henry Fonda were the parents, Ron Howard’s less cute brother was the boy, and one of the old cow – actually two – Jack Elam and Ben Johnson. It reminded me of my family, my husband’s family. I watched it on TV one cool summer night with my 5 yr old son sitting on my lap. It’s about fathers and son. Did you get that part? I think requiredreading is a bitch – books may or may not be good – but since you HAVE to read them, it’s hard to appreciate them. If you have a chance look at the movie. It was made in 1973.
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ryn: YES! And it is ever so evident. I can deal with a little tweaking of vamp lore. Make them photo-sensitive instead of photophobic, sure. Separate beings instead of undead? Maybe. But the Cullens of Twilight aren’t proper vampires- they’re what happens when a fae screws a golem.
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ryn: YES! And it is ever so evident. I can deal with a little tweaking of vamp lore. Make them photo-sensitive instead of photophobic, sure. Separate beings instead of undead? Maybe. But the Cullens of Twilight aren’t proper vampires- they’re what happens when a fae screws a golem.
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ryn: YES! And it is ever so evident. I can deal with a little tweaking of vamp lore. Make them photo-sensitive instead of photophobic, sure. Separate beings instead of undead? Maybe. But the Cullens of Twilight aren’t proper vampires- they’re what happens when a fae screws a golem.
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I just have really poor eyesight, lol, and the font was so close together, it made it nearly impossible for me to make out. I hope I didn’t offend 🙂 I do love your background, though, reminds me of Starry Night. Is it also Van Gogh?
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I just have really poor eyesight, lol, and the font was so close together, it made it nearly impossible for me to make out. I hope I didn’t offend 🙂 I do love your background, though, reminds me of Starry Night. Is it also Van Gogh?
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I just have really poor eyesight, lol, and the font was so close together, it made it nearly impossible for me to make out. I hope I didn’t offend 🙂 I do love your background, though, reminds me of Starry Night. Is it also Van Gogh?
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ryn: I’d love to be able to have a conversation with you about your opinion on Joyce. I read Ulysses in an Irish Literature class during my junior year of college. Please do send me a link or a pdf of your essay. I look forward to reading a different angle to Beowulf.
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ryn: I’d love to be able to have a conversation with you about your opinion on Joyce. I read Ulysses in an Irish Literature class during my junior year of college. Please do send me a link or a pdf of your essay. I look forward to reading a different angle to Beowulf.
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ryn: I’d love to be able to have a conversation with you about your opinion on Joyce. I read Ulysses in an Irish Literature class during my junior year of college. Please do send me a link or a pdf of your essay. I look forward to reading a different angle to Beowulf.
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Here is the contact info I meant to add to my last comment regarding your paper: ladyshadows52@sbcglobal.net Thank you in advance! Kristin
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Here is the contact info I meant to add to my last comment regarding your paper: ladyshadows52@sbcglobal.net Thank you in advance! Kristin
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Here is the contact info I meant to add to my last comment regarding your paper: ladyshadows52@sbcglobal.net Thank you in advance! Kristin
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So, I finished my dissertation and unfortunately, I had to change up my topic and wasn’t able to use your work as a citation. I didn’t use Paradise Lost at all. My thesis turned out to focus on The Cenci and the ethics of patriarchal rule and duality. Thanks again for all the ideas. I can’t wait to get the chance to talk to you further. All the best, Kristin
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So, I finished my dissertation and unfortunately, I had to change up my topic and wasn’t able to use your work as a citation. I didn’t use Paradise Lost at all. My thesis turned out to focus on The Cenci and the ethics of patriarchal rule and duality. Thanks again for all the ideas. I can’t wait to get the chance to talk to you further. All the best, Kristin
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So, I finished my dissertation and unfortunately, I had to change up my topic and wasn’t able to use your work as a citation. I didn’t use Paradise Lost at all. My thesis turned out to focus on The Cenci and the ethics of patriarchal rule and duality. Thanks again for all the ideas. I can’t wait to get the chance to talk to you further. All the best, Kristin
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Thak you for saving me the time of never reading those books. 🙂
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Thak you for saving me the time of never reading those books. 🙂
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Thak you for saving me the time of never reading those books. 🙂
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