Tuesday 10 January 2012

The Novel in your Hand


Sun setting, men tending to the early summer barbecue, children playing sweetly together in the vast fields attached to the camp site and the scene is set for a much loved relative and I to have a glass of wine together. I ask about the novel in her hand and she talks enthusiastically about the brilliance of this book, how she doesn't want it to finish and how she’d feel differently about a friend who didn’t enjoy it, such was the impact the book has had on her own life.

I understand this level of passion for a novel. However I’d defy anybody who’s played any part in a book club to feel like this, nothing being less predictable in a group of people than who will like and dislike your chosen story. Our conversation came to a natural close but nonetheless left me with a slight uneasiness and the hope that this relative wouldn’t buy me the book in question. 

Three months later, the book arrived. I bet you’ll love this, she wrote inside. I do hope so, I thought to myself.

To make matters worse, this same relative, whose opinion I do respect, had bought me a novel for a previous birthday which I really didn’t enjoy, despite it being tremendously popular and a film having come from it. I decided to be honest when we discussed it later, although choosing to focus on the parts I liked, or perhaps should say, could bear, rather than those which had me squirming with nausea. Yes, the nostalgic scenes were great, I said, with a fixed smile. I wrestled with myself even back then about not admitting my true feelings about a book. It wasn’t as if my friend had written it, or even that a friend of a friend of hers had written it. But somehow, it just seemed a little ungrateful to talk about not enjoying a present.

So, imagine how I felt when I finally picked up this now infamous book during the Christmas holidays and struggled to get started. Reading under pressure to enjoy something, I’ve discovered, is a little like being asked to ‘walk normally’ as a consultant asked me to do, recently. How hard can it be to put one foot in front of the other? Try it! I nearly fell over, such was my determination to produce an even tread.

I re-started this book three times – each time, thinking that I mustn’t have been in the mood or was too tired to concentrate. On the third, I made a pact with myself. I would treat this book like any other; if it wasn’t working for me by the 100th page, I would cut my losses and turn to the next in my To Be Read pile which is reminiscent of a publisher’s slush pile of reads from wannabe first-time novelists. 

Besides, hopefully the conversation would never come up.

I saw the book-giver over Christmas and she said how much she’d really enjoyed Glasshopper by Isabel Ashdown which I’d given her for her birthday. She spoke so fondly of the adorable main character, Jake, that I had no doubt her praise was real. I’ve just started yours, I said, the blurb looks great.

It wasn’t going well. By page 30 I was tempted to skim read. For the record, my problem is with the introduction of the main characters and their stories, without enough happening elsewhere. I reminded myself that I felt similarly about Atonement by Ian McEwan up to around 50 pages and that went on to become one of my all-time favourite reads.

This novel was now under about the same amount of pressure to be enjoyable as David Cameron is to sort out the debt crisis. It wasn’t fair to heap so much responsibility on one story, to put it under such close scrutiny.

I started the novel for the fourth time, knowing I had a good unbroken couple of hours ahead of me to ‘get into this book’, such had become the nature of the challenge. There was a flicker, around page 45, when I found a character I thought I might care about but other than that, I’m afraid, at page 114, I gave up for the last time and went to bed.

And that’s where my story ends. I can’t bring myself to pretend I’ve read this book but I also don't relish seeing the disappointment in the relative’s face if I reveal I can't even finish it. What would you do in this situation? And if you’ve been in a similar place before, please do tell us here!

Happy New Year everyone and happy reading, whatever you choose!

30 comments:

  1. I only ever get socks as presents, so a book seems a welcome change. However I see the point, books can become very personal. I suppose you could delay matters by saying you're keeping it to read it on holiday, and then say the airline lost your bags?

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  2. NO!!! I MUST know which these books were, I just must! DM me on FB or Twitter if needs be, but I must know!
    Not that I'm nosey or anything!

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  3. I'd be tempted to read a review and lie. And then spend this year talking about writers whose work you really enjoy. Of hope she reads this!

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  4. Oh Dear
    I keep thinking about all the books I have bought in the past (not for you, but for younger members of the family ). They always seem so pleased with my choice. They always say thank you. Am I living in a fool's paradise? Will I dare to buy books as gifts again?
    But I fully sympathise with books you can't get into. We bought the full set of Booker nominated novels. I loved 'Room' but was not impressed with some of the others.
    I too would love to know which titles you are talking about. Email me.

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  5. Ah, Charlie, perhaps that's why you're not a present peeker and your wife is?? I thought the plane was a brilliant idea... at first... but what if out of sympathy I receive a second copy. Then I'm going to feel doubly as bad :)

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  6. Milla, tee hee, I'm so glad I disguised the books well enough, would hate anyone to be swayed by my opinion. Thousands, millions of others already disagree. But as you asked so nicely, I will get the names to you. Thanks for reading!

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  7. Jo, that's very tempting. It's just a little white lie, isn't it...?? And no! She would never read this, I had to be absolutely sure of that before I posted, she doesn't know I have a blog. Phew! For the record, she is absolutely lovely, that's why I particularly don't want to upset her. Phew! Tangled webs and all that!

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  8. Pauline, I was worried I'd make everyone paranoid. It's simply the pressure that went with the book in this case. There are many people I'm frank with and they simply take it as my opinion and that I'm wrong anyway! I don't recall my children receiving books they haven't at least tried. And there's nothing wrong with working out what you do and don't like through experience, is there? They have such different tastes that you can usually bank on one out of the two enjoying something. I think books are a fantastic present in the main - they look so lovely, there's the anticipation of the read and the enjoyment lasts longer than a box of chocolates (although there's a place for those too) so please don't stop on my account!

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  9. That's a lot of pressure to put someone under. I often recommend books I've enjoyed, but I would totally understand if someone didn't like it. I'd love to know what the books were - mostly because I usually don't like the books that everyone else seems to rave about. I'm glad I'm not the only one swimming against the current.

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  10. Thanks J!
    Room certainly beat the pants off Finkler on that list - couldn't finish the latter and adored the former.

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  11. Thanks for reading, Annalisa. I think she'd be mortified if she realised her thoughts resulted in pressure - I think she just loved the book so much, couldn't possibly imagine how anyone wouldn't and thus it would never be an issue!

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  12. Milla and Pauline (sorry Pauline, I forgot you mentioned Room earlier), I'm ashamed to say I only read Room from the list (back to my enormous TBR pile again!) but yes, I thought that was wonderful, a thoughtful page-turner which I read in two nights. My only tiny criticism was of the ending, for me it seemed to peter out a little. But I thought that the child's voice and the desperate efforts of the mother to give her son the best upbringing he could have in that environment were brilliantly done.

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  13. I'm with Milla - I have to know what the book was!

    Thanks for sharing your dilemma - I think some friends of mine put off reading a book I've recommended, in the hope I might forget about it and move on to another one they do like! Which usually happens, so that's OK!
    But I'm relieved to know I'm not the only one who's struggled to get into Atonement. I've started it several times, only to put it down again. Now I'm going to persist with it, and read on past the first 50 pages. You've made me think it'll be worth it!
    As for Room, I loved it and literally couldn't put it down but was also mildly dissappointed as it limped to the end after being so compelling.

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  14. Hi Silentnovelist, happy new year to you! I'd love you to persist with Atonement (NOT saying you have to like it of course, phew!) but once I'd got into it, I could really see why the beginning didn't move very fast. The whole book hinges on one episode which has a number of interpretations so the reader needs to have it fixed in their brain - if that's not giving too much away. I have mused as to whether Atonement would have got picked up as a first novel when we're constantly reminded that we have to hit the reader from the first page. Interesting you thought the same about Room.
    Thanks for reading and all the best with Daisychains in 2012.

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  15. The biggest problem, IMO, is that writers read books differently than readers. We have different expectations and even amongst us, it's so subjective. Variety is the spice of life, so they say. ;)

    So no need to force it. There are too many good books out there and it sounds like many of them are in your house. LOL. The others are in mine!

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  16. Hi Jax,
    Well you have made us all worry now about whether we have ever enthused too much to someone about a book we have loved or even hated. I am sure I haven't mentioned more than 10 times have I how I HATED "The Slap" !!! Oops sorry done it again. Anyway I wouldn't worry at all if I had given someone a book they didn't like, in fact I think I would rather know what they thought as it is good to see another person's way of looking at things. I am of course only too aware of your views on any Jane Austen book and I personally wasn't that bowled over by "Atonement" although I did finish it! I haven't read "Room" but reading the comments above I feel I really must. Anyway keep blogging and thought sharing and happy reading.

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  17. Hi Heather, yep! Life would be exceedingly dull if we all liked the same thing (and would make the potential for getting our own books published, even smaller...) Thanks for reading!

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  18. Hi Lyn, don't worry! I don't think it's the enthusing about the book, rather the, 'I will think dimly of you if you don't agree with me on it,' which should be any cause for concern! When I look at the comments on this blog, I think the latter is actually quite rare.

    I have been quite open about my views on Ms Austen in the past, that's true, and I assume that you're simply amused by my clear lack of good taste, ha ha!

    Funny you should mention The Slap, a friend was saying EXACTLY the same as you about it the other day and another was saying that she hadn't read the book but that the dramatisation of it was excellent. Cue another debate... thanks for reading.

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  19. Hi Actually Mummy, lovely to see you over here and thanks to your daughter for leading the way. So, are you the kind of reader who'll persevere with the Dragon Tattoo to the end, even if it doesn't work for you? Or, at what stage would you call it a day? I can't really comment as I haven't read any of them myself but if it helps, I know people who've loved them and some who were distinctly underwhelmed. I'm keen to know if it improves for you and why, please keep us posted! Thanks for reading.

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  20. Actually Mummy, I've just popped over to your blog. What a great idea to write through the eyes of your daughter and it's very entertaining too. I'm following now, brilliant!

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  21. Great blog post Jackie (and of course, lovely to get a mention). Isn't it fascinating how one person's book of the year can be another's arduous duty-read! Lots of interesting responses above too - I recently watched the BBC4 dramatisation of The Slap (which was fab), and now really want to read the book. Hope I'm not disappointed. Another one to add to the teetering reading pile ... :)

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  22. Jackie... I'd lie gently. Pretend you liked it at least a bit, but obviously don't gush. If it's been one of those world-tilting books for your relative, she'll be triggered to do all the gushing by your few comments anyway and then you only need nod your head in appropriate places.

    And Isabel... yes, wasn't The Slap fantastic? I loved it and same here, it's triggered a desire to read the book.

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  23. The Slap is terrible, coarse, one-trick pony. All the characters are the same and it was a wasted opportunity for a great basic idea.
    As for Atonement, loved it, but... you've got to get to p70. p70 is always my benchmark. Often the problem nowadays is a great start followed by a massive collapse as if the agents/editors etc never got further than chapter 4.
    Room, well, yes, it did dwindle but how could it maintain such superb tension? I felt sick, physically sick reading the beginning, that terrible claustraphobia and then the all but unreadable Plan. A wonderful book. Also - while we're on hyped books - thoroughly enjoyed The Help, much against my expectations. I thought it would be impossible to match the puff, but perfectly structured, plus you care. What's not to like?
    As for Dragon Tattoo books. Hmmm, over-rated I thought. Particularly the first one. 200 pages too long, too much magazine malarkey, an overdose of family tree and just a little light torture to lighten the heavy-going. The second was my "favourite" but still fail to get the fuss.

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  24. Hi Isabel, Sandie and Milla,thanks for your comments :) I thought the premise for The Slap sounded excellent so I'm now intrigued as to how the book is universally disliked and the dramatisation universally liked by my (tiny, admittedly) sample. The feedback I've had from friends is as you say, Milla, that it's a one trick pony, that there isn't a likeable character among them and they also took a firm dislike to an overuse of bad language. I am compelled to watch the Channel 4 version RATHER than tackle the book. Milla, you're not really selling me the Dragon Tattoo (love your description!), think I'll stick to my Tower or Piza-like TBR list for now.

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  25. Sandie, I like your thinking although it's a bit of a risky strategy as I'm sure I could only get away with nodding so much! If there's a time lapse, I could blame my vagueness on bad memory, particularly as I'm dreadful at remembering character's names, even if I've loved a book. I've put it away for now, with great relief, but I'll have one more go before we next meet. You never know, it might have been my frame of mind, although I doubt it (but pressure to like it won't have helped). A lesson to us all, don't put pressure on your reader! In five years of belonging to a book group, there wasn't a single book we all loved or all hated. If a difference in opinion wasn't fun, there wouldn't be book groups around every corner, would there? How are you? I think you're writing a biography these days, is that right?

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  26. Milla, I meant to say, I had The Help for Christmas (thanks Mum!) might bump it up my TBR list now!

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  27. Hi Jackie great post and debate which I am coming to rather late unfortunately. I am pretty sure I know the first book you are talking about (and if I'm right I completely agree with you) and very intrigued by your dilemma because it's not one I've encountered in the sense that I wouldn't feel obliged to say I liked a book however much someone recommended it, although like you I would try to be diplomatic to the giver. I've given books as gifts which have had varying degrees of success (incl. my mum once saying 'Why on earth did you give me that?') and I wouldn't dream of taking it personally! I think it is absolutely fascinating who likes which book and sometimes I even think a book is brilliantly written if I loathe it. Why don't you come out and say what the books are?! You are entitled to your opinion and I'm sure your readers will make up their own minds. Finally, The Slap isn't universally reviled - I gave it a pretty ambivalent review but it still somehow made it into my top reads of last year, and part of the fun was its notoriety! Thanks for a stimulating article.

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  28. Hi Isabel, thanks for your great comment and sorry it's taken me a while to respond. I agree, I find it more fascinating than anything when people don't feel the same about a book. It never ceases to amaze me how differently words can 'hit' the reader. Even Slap has its fans, it seems :) Why didn't I say what the books were? Hmmm, difficult. The main reason was because I didn't want any debate to be about the books specifically, more about the psychology of the situation. It was a shock to me and I sincerely wondered if all this time when I'd told people I hadn't enjoyed a favourite book of theirs (albeit I'd attempt to say it objectively!) they'd been secretly affronted! From comments here, and from emails, I realise that isn't the case but it is funny how many people have written to me in a panic that they'd given me a book I'd felt obliged to pretend I liked (they haven't!). The other reason is that I don't think of this blog as a review site, nor myself as an expert reviewer of books so it didn't seem appropriate. I'll email you the names of the books in question if you like... I wonder if you are right??

    Thanks for reading!

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  29. I must be very thick skinned because I am not remotely offended when people don't like the same books as I do. There are plenty of books I loathed but as they shot up the best seller lists and are quoted endlessly by people whom I think are reasonably bright and have their brains wired in a more or less normal pattern I can only assume that we like different things in books.

    I adored Atonement from the first page and it is still one of my favourite books. I can't even bring myself to read The Slap because it sounds such a one trick pony and I have better things to do with my time (and I could be so very wrong). I refused to read any more of White Teeth after the first chaper (where I rather wished he had successfully hanged himself and thus put the rest of us out of our misery) and I felt similarly about The Last Family in England. I did persevere with How to be Good,but I now use it as a benchmark for all other books I dislike (ie Is it as ghastly as How to be Good?) I have probably listed at least somebody's favourite book list. But then my favourite books, Atonement, The Poisonwood Bible, Fragrant Harbour probably leave everyone else cold :)

    Having said all that, diplomacy and family relations are important and not everyone has elephant hide like me so I'd take Sandie's advice and nod sagely leaving the gushing to them.

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  30. Hi Skybluepinkish (!)Thanks for dropping in and how funny that you should mention The Last Family in England because I had such a strong reaction to that book. I thought the Dead Fathers' Club, also by Matt Haig, was fabulous. I recommended it, bought it for others, told all my friends from my home town that they had to read it (it's based there and although the name of our secondary school is never mentioned, I knew it had to be ours from the ways and peculiarities of the teachers (tee hee)- which was later confirmed by Mr Haig. So yes, it was with great excitement that I began the Last Family in England and about two pages in, could have cried with disappointment. All the freshness of Dead Fathers seemed to have been replaced with cliche. Of course I'm wrong as I've just slipped over to Amazon and seen that Last Family has five stars and Dead Fathers has four....

    Incidentally, there was the whole gambit of reaction to Dead Fathers' Club and I didn't mind a bit!

    The book in question has been put back on the shelf but I will get it out again and find some sections I can bear, then employ Sandie's policy of feeding off my relative's enthusiasm. Next birthday I'll buy the relative a book token and hopefully start a tradition that way...! PS She's great, but there's nowt so queer as folk.

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