I don't usually talk about books much here but I just read one that irritated me so bad I had to rant about it. I thought the Big M was history. What's the Big M?
The Big Misunderstanding
Characters are kept apart by something that could be resolved with a conversation. Kept apart for a brief while over such a thing isn't unbelievable — not all of us suddenly jump up and demand to know the truth. We might labor under a delusion for a little while because we're still trying to figure it out in our heads and making sure we aren't jumping to the wrong conclusions.
But a misunderstanding that goes on for an entire book? Something that could have been solved with a conversation instead of the pages and pages of angsting over the past? I was seriously surprised at this book.
And I wonder if maybe I just didn't get it, if the fault is with me as a reader because the Big M didn't work for me or I wasn't able to see how deeply this misunderstanding would affect the characters' ability to discuss the truth. I'm just not sure.
I must say, however, that I've read other books by this author that were just fab, so I'm not put off entirely. I was just a little disappointed in this one.
I'm pretty positive I'm going to write things that don't resonate with all readers. Of course that bothers me because I am a perfectionist. Realistically, I know there will be those who dislike my work. I don't look forward to that, but I know it's going to happen.
What do you do when a book fails to meet expectations? Do you write the author off? Do you give him or her another try? What plots drive you crazy?
I hate it when that happens! 😉
If I’m reading an author I adore, I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt and keep reading. If this happens when I’m reading an author I don’t know, then I’d have to be enthralled with the next plot to buy another book.
This is something I really think about when I’m writing. Plots are like webs spun throughout the book, making an intricate pattern, connecting each character and each character’s reaction. Beautiful, delicate, but easily ruined by a simple tear.
I pretty much insist a plot make sense. I have a hard enough time suspending my disbelief, so even a small amount of “what the?” or “oh, please” and I’m outta there.
Yeah, I think if it was the first book I’d ever read by the author I might be more leery in the future. There is one author I won’t read simply because of something I read in a book she wrote years ago. I suppose I should give her another try. This was before I was writing, so I think I was way more judgmental than I would be now.
I’m not quite that strict, PC. I keep trying — but I admit that I have quite a few unfinished books simply because I couldn’t take it anymore.