Books Not to Read

[alfaniner]

Not sure if this was mentioned, I even might have said it - but worth pointing out again. Bio of a Space Tyrant by Piers Anthony. Not sure how I made it through, but it was just awful.

One I am torn on is The Messiah Stone and it's sequel The Dark Messiah, by Martin Caidin. Truly an awful human being as the main character, but I kind of enjoyed the read.

Funny you should mention both of those. I might have even talked about them before.

Did you know Bio of a Space Tyrant was a five-book series? I'm not sure how I made it through all of them. If I recall correctly, the first chapter goes right into a space rape scene. Many more of which are to follow.

All I seem to remember about The Messiah Stone is that the author never left out a chance to tell his readers that the characters were taking a break for a piss. No apparent reason. I think it's one of the rare instances where I wrote to an author to tell him I didn't like that particular book.

Although, considering the subject matter, I have to wonder if the thing really exists and a certain politician got ahold of it...

 

[Disbelief]

Funny you should mention both of those. I might have even talked about them before.

Did you know Bio of a Space Tyrant was a five-book series? I'm not sure how I made it through all of them. If I recall correctly, the first chapter goes right into a space rape scene. Many more of which are to follow.

I slogged through them all, but apparently there is a 6th told from his sister's point of view. No desire to revisit that.

All I seem to remember about The Messiah Stone is that the author never left out a chance to tell his readers that the characters were taking a break for a piss. No apparent reason. I think it's one of the rare instances where I wrote to an author to tell him I didn't like that particular book.

Although, considering the subject matter, I have to wonder if the thing really exists and a certain politician got ahold of it...

The Dark Messiah is an even worse book, but I actually liked the ending. Maybe someone did actually get a hold of it though, as you suggest.

 

[luchog]

Not sure if this was mentioned, I even might have said it - but worth pointing out again. Bio of a Space Tyrant by Piers Anthony. Not sure how I made it through, but it was just awful.

Yeah, I mentioned that with a bunch of his other work earlier. One of the few series' I've tried to read that was so utterly awful I was unable to finish it. I got through about two and a half books before chucking it out. It seemed like the entire story existed only as an excuse to string together brutally violent rape scenes. But then, Anthony has a disturbing fascination with rape in general.

 

[Disbelief]

Yeah, I mentioned that with a bunch of his other work earlier. One of the few series' I've tried to read that was so utterly awful I was unable to finish it. I got through about two and a half books before chucking it out. It seemed like the entire story existed only as an excuse to string together brutally violent rape scenes. But then, Anthony has a disturbing fascination with rape in general.

I think I only made it through because it was my teen years and I had nothing else to read.

In the spirit of Piers, The Tales of Alvin Maker by OSC follow the Anthony script by starting off good and fading. Can't even tell you what happened by the end, though I finished that series as well.

 

[d4m10n]

THis is the "not to read" thread!

Hey, is there a "good to read" thread?

 

[Wudang]

There have been a couple of "I've been reading X. What can people recommend like this?" No matter the starting point someone will always recommend Asimov's Foundation trilogy.

 

[Dave Rogers]

There have been a couple of "I've been reading X. What can people recommend like this?" No matter the starting point someone will always recommend Asimov's Foundation trilogy.

I think you just codified Wudang's Law.

Dave

 

[Disbelief]

I think you just codified Wudang's Law.

Dave

This thread has been Wudanged.

 

[Apathia]

Tales of Genji. Sorry, Lady Whatserface, it may be a significant work but damned if it's a readable one.

Lady Murasaki

It's better than the Bronte Sisters in my opinion, but I didn't read the whole the whole thing because I didn't like Genji.

 

[luchog]

Lady Murasaki

It's better than the Bronte Sisters in my opinion, but I didn't read the whole the whole thing because I didn't like Genji.

I read the entire thing, and yes Hikaru Genji was a reprehensible individual.

Part of the problem with the Genji Monogatari is that, like Shakespeare, it's very much rooted in a particular culture and time, and a lot of the references and mores and social dynamics portrayed are so far removed from the modern world, not to mention the huge differences between Eastern and Western cultures, that some of it can be difficult to understand. And that's not including the issues with translating the work.