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[restingstitchface]

Why are terrible books popular?

Look around, I'm sure you'll find examples of bad writing. Books that are an agony to force oneself to keep reading. Books that tell you nothing you didn't already know. Shockingly dreadful novels can become classics, to boot. The most popular works suffer from pages of bad writing, yet are regarded as saving reading.

That's hardly true, is it? Not if people don't expand their horizons and cling to their, ah, fandoms.

...

Now. Might you name the books you love and hate? I would also like to hear examples of literature from this world that you enjoy or consider dire, if you would.

Comments

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[affluenza]

Terrible books are popular because you don't have to be too smart to read them.

I'm mostly into plays. But my favorite novels are Frankenstein and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

[restingstitchface]

You'll certainly hear no argument from me about terrible novels requiring minimal mental effort. Though, I do feel like reminding you, Frankenstein is only one title. Most people don't know the second. Fortunately, I believe you are the sort of gentleman who does.

Anyway. Plays are literature of sorts. Care to share which you enjoy?

[affluenza]

The Modern Prometheus, of course.

[Dandy likes it because he relates to the monster, although they aren't actually very similar at all.]

Hamlet is my favorite. I've always wanted to play Hamlet, I have all the lines memorized. I also saw The King and I seven times, just before I got here.

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[am_i_a_monster]

Escapism. People have a lot of stress and when they read for recreation, they don't always want to be challenged. Maybe they want something simple that doesn't require thought.

Or it could be that many people are gullible in general and it doesn't take a good plot twist to surprise them. Anything will do.

Or having the same characters and familiar story lines, gives them some comfort.

[restingstitchface]

Indeed that's what they want. Familiarity, predictability, routine and ritual. Qualities many believe bring emotional well-being.

Which of course never happens.

[am_i_a_monster]

The books never bring them emotional well-being? Or there's no such thing as emotional well-being?

[trouvaille]

Because people are reading at their level. ( and most people are idiots. )

'Waverly' is a book I don't care for, although I wouldn't go as far as dire. Academically it's a fascinating example of watching someone make up how the novel is written as they go, the birth of a new genre, blah blah blah. As a reader, Walter Scott is fucking dull. I prefer poems and short stories on the whole, in fairness to it, so it was an uphill battle in the first place.

[restingstitchface]

Yes, and I highly doubt people are capable of having the patience for poetry, either. Which makes your own pleasure an uphill battle when you have nobody to discuss themes with. Certainly not many of the people here, at any rate.

[trouvaille]

I'd consider that - if I had it - a bonus rather than a requirement. I might enjoy something more for having shared it with someone who appreciates the art, but my enjoyment's not lessened by being singular. The poetry isn't less good without an audience to see me enjoying it.

text; making up momverse books for fun and profit

[doctopussy]

There are always those that don't want to bother to think.
They do not cherish broadening their minds and thus stick to what is familiar.

I always enjoyed the works of H.G. Wells and Jules Verne. "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" in particular has always captured the imagination.

As for books I dislike, I shudder whenever I see "50 Webs of Silk".

[restingstitchface]

Honestly, that book should immediately mark down anyone who reads it as a deviant. And they call us criminals.

voice.

[oddbod]

Because people have different tastes, different lives, and not everyone has the time to sit around and digest deep, intricate literature. Maybe they're not trying to broaden their horizons after a long day at a hard job. Maybe they just want to crawl in bed and read an awful, happy romance, and that's what saves reading for them.

As for myself, though, anything from Jane Austen. Lovely words. Lovelier woman.

[restingstitchface]

Quite so. I'm curious of she would view the commercialization of her interpretation, critique and commentary. Regency-themed tearooms; television serials masquerading as reader wish-fulfilment; spin-off industries of museums and tours...

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[prostheticbody]

I'm sure you've had enough interaction with the public to already know the answer to this question, Doctor.

I'd say the bottom of the barrel is movie novelizations.

[restingstitchface]

I suppose I have. I am encouraging others to pursue this question, though. I want them to realize the answer without having it provided.

Also why movie novelization in particular?

[text]

[the_red_pawn]

With kids my age, I think bad books and manga are popular just because other people are reading them. If everyone is talking about a story, and you don't know it, then you won't be able to get much attention...

[restingstitchface]

I highly doubt most children want to feel excluded. How old are you, might I ask?

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[ghoulking]

Some people read simply so they won't have to think too hard, won't have to get too deep, and simply wish to relax and spend their time with something more superfluous that requires less effort. In some cases, it can help them.

[restingstitchface]

Indeed it can, in the short-term.

But over a lengthier period it will do more unseen damage; indolence often leads to failure.

[acclimatized]

Did you ever finish that book I sent you?

[restingstitchface]

No. Should I have?

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[jojoceanman]

Maybe people just have terrible taste and pretend not to.

I mainly read science publications and detective fiction, so I can't comment on what's popular or not. In a store's best seller shelf I glanced at titles like "Homie-O and Juliet" and "Real Housewives of Nonah: Untold Stories." I guess if you feel like torturing yourself, those should do the trick.

[restingstitchface]

That last one sounds like dreadful gossip, doesn't it?

But science and detectives stories, adventures, really, are a popular choice. Do you enjoy H.G. Wells?

ANONYMOUS text;

[itistolaugh]

James Joyce is an overrated hack.

[restingstitchface]

Joyce's work was experimental. Just because something is difficult to understand doesn't make it overrated.