6.25.2012

A Few Morose Books...I did not like.


Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
(Description via Goodreads)

This is one of the most depressing books I have ever read and surprisingly, I didn't like it. I read it almost six years ago when I was in high school (this may have influenced my dislike a little). Times were tough. I get it...I didn't cry when I read this. In fact, I know I thought "alright, when's this going to be over"...and the ending was pretty lame, if I remember correctly. 

I'm all for revisiting text and authors--I had to try Hemingway many times before I decided I liked him, but I don't think it will be the case with this McCourt memoir-masterpiece.


The Jungle by Upton Sinclair 
I had similar sentiments towards this one as I did with Angela's Ashes. A lot of bad things happen and I lost interest midway.

I'm still not convinced this is a great piece of literature, as it is an interesting piece of propaganda. But it was intriguing to know that this book influenced food safety policy by exposing the meat-packing industry. I always thought Hot dogs were weird items for human consumption. 

Where Sinclair lost me completely was the end. Socialism as the answer to all problems--gone. Point of no return. 


The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
(Description via Goodreads)

I'm pretty sure everyone has read this American Classic and almost everyone I know thought it was great. I didn't. 

Like Angela's Ashes, I read it in high school. Unlike Angela's Ashes, I might consider rereading it. I may have judged Steinbeck a little too harshly and prematurely at the age of 14, or whenever I read it. 


9 comments:

  1. The first two, I have never heard of before. But I feel you on The Grapes of Wrath. I read it during my junior(?) year in high school and thought it was a cruel form of torture. Since I did enjoy East of Eden so much I am willing to give this one another shot.

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    1. Since I didn't really like them, I wouldn't really recommend them haha. Maybe bits and pieces of The Jungle (the descriptions of the terrible practices in the meat-packing industries) but that seems silly to recommend parts of books.

      I'm glad I'm not alone on The Grapes of Wrath--I'll reread it one day and I've heard many good things about East of Eden as well...I'm just no ready to concede defeat to Steinbeck.

      Thanks for visiting! I appreciate your thoughts.

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  2. Upton Sinclair is what I call a coarse motherfucker. There's not much between the fact and the pen, except maybe...wel you said it, his political beliefs. Oil! was slightly more entertaining, but Paul Thomas Anderson did a great job at dressing the story with interesting visuals.

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    1. Ben,

      Sinclair is indeed a coarse s.o.b. I read this for a class on literature and the political imagination (I'm a poli-sci nerd) and had to bullshit so much for this particular book. I started writing about alchemy and all sorts of oddities to make it more interesting for me...and my instructor. She liked the bs, but I still couldn't get behind the book.

      Oil! might get read someday...I'll think about it.

      Thanks for stopping by.

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  3. I can't recall if I've ever read The Grapes of Wrath, but I did see the movie in 10th grade. I don't remember it. That's a book I plan on reading someday down the line.

    And I agree with you about The Jungle. I enjoyed it quite a bit until the final bits where Sinclair turns the novel into a tract for socialism. That was a problem with several good pieces of literature that came out between the two World Wars, though. Native Son, by Richard Wright, had a similar problem, as I understand.

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    1. Man oh man. Native Son. It's been ages. I think I was lukewarm on that one...I remember Jan the communist boyfriend/beacon of light/asshole.

      Have you read it? I almost wrote a spoiler. I completely forgot about Native Son. I'll put it on another list.

      I'll reread 'Grapes' one day. I can only shake my head at Sinclair.

      Thanks for commenting, Chris.

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    2. Nope, haven't read Native Son yet. I read Black Boy and enjoyed it. Richard Wright wrote that one after he got over his communism infatuation.

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  4. I loved Angela's Ashes. Oddly enough, I didn't think it was that depressing.

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    1. ...did you think it was funny? I've read that in a few reviews.

      I don't know, its been a really long time, but the book left such a bad taste.

      Thanks for visiting, Ryan.

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