I read it for book club (that is probably the only reason that I finished it). I didn't like it at all, but many members of the book club really enjoyed it.
Oh, wow. Lots of disappointed readers commenting here. I haven't read it yet, as I was waiting for all the hype to die down. I know I'll try it -- soon -- but maybe now I won't expect greatness.
I attempted to read and enjoy this book when it first came out due to all the hype it was receiving and I just couldn't do it. You aren't the only one.
Well, I'm sorry to hear that. But that's why there are so many books out there to choose from because we all have different tastes. I really liked this book but a friend of mine will not read it because of the abuse to the elephants.
**Life is too short to spend it reading something you don't like!!
Awwwww... I did like it, but as has been mentioned in several ways, not every book appeals to every reader. I've been disappointed by many that received critical acclaim and others that our fellow bloggers enjoyed.
i'm also one who liked this book ... but i agree that life is too short to keep reading things that you aren't enjoying. i hope your current read is better!
Oh that is too bad! I LOVE it. I still talk about it. Although, I think I remember thinking that it started slow and terribly. But I loved it. So sorry to hear that you dont like it. But I follow the 50 page rule too, so I feel ya!
It happens sometimes, doesn't it? I haven't yet read this one, but I will be giving it a try one of these days. Hopefully I'll have better luck with it. :-)
I don't read a lot of fiction, but this is one I read and loved! It's funny how a book may captivate one reader and have no affect on another. It's kind of like a looking at a painting and thinking it is a masterpiece and a friend thinks it's junk! lol
So you've given this librarian permission to come out of hiding and admit SHE didn't like it either - totally turned me off - I gave up as well. (Did I just say that out loud!?!?!?)
I liked the basic storyline, but I did not care for the more graphic parts of it at all. I think I rated it 4/5, but I'm not sure I'll read another Gruen.
I've read and discussed it with three book clubs now and still love it (although there were some people in some groups that had trouble with the elephant treatment; unfortunately that's the way it was in those days). Like the others here, I've started plenty of books (and completed some, if they were for book club) that others raved about and I HATED (Eat Pray Love and American Gods, for example). Glad you've moved on to something better for you!
I've got my mother's copy of Water for Elephants, even though she hated it and the storyline doesn't interest me. I'm kind of relieved to know you didn't like it. Maybe I'll just pass mine on.
I did enjoy this book (well, all except for one chapter, which I pretty much just skipped). But life's too short to keep reading a book you're not enjoying!
I seem to have that experience with a lot of books that get rave reviews. I couldn't make it all the way through Eat, Pray, Love - and at the time I felt like the only person who didn't like that book.
Thank You! Everyone at my book club loved this book but I really didn't like it. I have a thing against circuses. I was told that wouldn't matter because the book was so good. Well no deal for me. Love your blog.
I hate to read...Most books are never finished because they are so boring. I am reading 'Water for Elephants' for the second time because I enjoyed it so much. I hate to see it end because I don't have any idea what to read next. Gini Johnson
I'm surprised everyone is so critical of this book. I very much enjoyed it. It is a well written story. If you like this book and are interested in Circus stories of early 1900's, try reading "Gus the Great". It is not as clean or as quick a read, but entertaining and gives an interesting glimpse of life back then.
by Sara Gruen
28 comments:
That's a real bummer. I have this on my TBR list, I'll get to it...evenutally lol
I read it for book club (that is probably the only reason that I finished it). I didn't like it at all, but many members of the book club really enjoyed it.
So glad I am not the only one.
I had a really hard time with this. Why did it get all the acclaim that it did? I'm thinking this might be one for the goodwill box.
I think I only lasted through about 40 pages! I'm glad I'm not the only one. I've heard such rave reviews.
I gave this a 4.5 but have no desire to read it again. I liked the inside look at the circus back in the 30's but can't remember much else about it.
Isn't that the greatest thing about books? You can always find the ones you love and you don't have to finish the ones you don't!
I'm in the like column, but I'm not at all sure I'd read it again.
cjh
Oh, wow. Lots of disappointed readers commenting here. I haven't read it yet, as I was waiting for all the hype to die down. I know I'll try it -- soon -- but maybe now I won't expect greatness.
I attempted to read and enjoy this book when it first came out due to all the hype it was receiving and I just couldn't do it. You aren't the only one.
Bummer - I really liked that book!
and if we all liked the same books the world would be so dull.
:-)
Well, I'm sorry to hear that. But that's why there are so many books out there to choose from because we all have different tastes. I really liked this book but a friend of mine will not read it because of the abuse to the elephants.
**Life is too short to spend it reading something you don't like!!
Awwwww... I did like it, but as has been mentioned in several ways, not every book appeals to every reader. I've been disappointed by many that received critical acclaim and others that our fellow bloggers enjoyed.
On to other books!
Count me as one of the ones that did really enjoy this book! I guess each of us has different tastes when it comes to lots of different things.
i'm also one who liked this book ... but i agree that life is too short to keep reading things that you aren't enjoying. i hope your current read is better!
Oh that is too bad! I LOVE it. I still talk about it. Although, I think I remember thinking that it started slow and terribly. But I loved it. So sorry to hear that you dont like it. But I follow the 50 page rule too, so I feel ya!
It happens sometimes, doesn't it? I haven't yet read this one, but I will be giving it a try one of these days. Hopefully I'll have better luck with it. :-)
I don't read a lot of fiction, but this is one I read and loved! It's funny how a book may captivate one reader and have no affect on another. It's kind of like a looking at a painting and thinking it is a masterpiece and a friend thinks it's junk! lol
So you've given this librarian permission to come out of hiding and admit SHE didn't like it either - totally turned me off - I gave up as well. (Did I just say that out loud!?!?!?)
I liked the basic storyline, but I did not care for the more graphic parts of it at all. I think I rated it 4/5, but I'm not sure I'll read another Gruen.
I've read and discussed it with three book clubs now and still love it (although there were some people in some groups that had trouble with the elephant treatment; unfortunately that's the way it was in those days). Like the others here, I've started plenty of books (and completed some, if they were for book club) that others raved about and I HATED (Eat Pray Love and American Gods, for example). Glad you've moved on to something better for you!
I've got my mother's copy of Water for Elephants, even though she hated it and the storyline doesn't interest me. I'm kind of relieved to know you didn't like it. Maybe I'll just pass mine on.
I didn't like this book, either! It was all the rage for awhile there, but I couldn't see why :)
I did enjoy this book (well, all except for one chapter, which I pretty much just skipped). But life's too short to keep reading a book you're not enjoying!
Uh-oh. I'm often in the minority for these books, and this is the book we're reading for book club next month...
I seem to have that experience with a lot of books that get rave reviews. I couldn't make it all the way through Eat, Pray, Love - and at the time I felt like the only person who didn't like that book.
Thank You! Everyone at my book club loved this book but I really didn't like it. I have a thing against circuses. I was told that wouldn't matter because the book was so good. Well no deal for me. Love your blog.
I hate to read...Most books are never finished because they are so boring. I am reading 'Water for Elephants' for the second time because I enjoyed it so much. I hate to see it end because I don't have any idea what to read next.
Gini Johnson
I'm surprised everyone is so critical of this book. I very much enjoyed it. It is a well written story. If you like this book and are interested in Circus stories of early 1900's, try reading "Gus the Great". It is not as clean or as quick a read, but entertaining and gives an interesting glimpse of life back then.
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