Today's Booking Through Thursday question asks:Which is worse?
Finding a book you love and then hating everything else you try by that author, or
Reading a completely disappointing book by an author that you love?
I, thankfully, have never had the experience of finding a book I love and then hating everything else an author has written. I have occasionally been disappointed in a novel by an author I love. John Irving comes to mind. I've enjoyed every book of his I've read, but was never able to get through Until I Find You. When it was first published, I had to run right out and purchse a hardcover copy. This could be a case of "right book, wrong time", so I'll give it another shot at some point...but at 800 pages, it won't be right away!
Additionally, some authors seem to have different styles of books. I love Margaret Atwood's 'female relationship' books, like Cat's Eye and The Robber Bride more than her 'science fiction, dystopian' books like The Handmaid's Tale.
To see more answers or play along, visit Booking Through Thursday.
I think I'm more like you. I believe all authors have their ups and downs as their work progresses, and I'll prefer some books by him or her more than others. I don't hold what I think is a bad book against an author. I tend to read a few more of their books just to see if I feel the same way about them. And I cheerfully read even the so-so ones by authors I've decided I like a lot.
ReplyDeleteLezlie
I thought reading a disappointing book by an author that you love was the worse scenario out of the two. Though, I think it's worse if the series/books go downhill after that book.
ReplyDelete~ Popin
The second question was the one I answered. http://zetor-mogsblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/booking-through-thursday_30.html
ReplyDeleteAlot of bloggers have mentioned Atwood today. I am going to have to read one of her books.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog! I thought today's BTT was a good one. I suppose that we shouldn't expect to like everything that we read, there are bound to be disappointments but they make the good books even better!
ReplyDeleteWhat matters to me is whether I'll venture into another book of a new author (or new "old" author) if I didn't enjoy the first. It's about building the credit. I do believe in second chances. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm extra cautious about reading another if the author is not good in my book. At least I wouldn't buy it but borrow it.
Expectation is a huge factor. Once I have liked a book, my expectation mounts. Whether the author is my favorite or not, I'll be bummed out if the book doesn't hit the mark.
Lezlie - Yes, I'm more than willing to forgive a favorite author...especially if I've read a lot of their work.
ReplyDeletePopinFresh - It disappoints me when a series goes bad, too.
Zetor - I'll stop buy and check out your answer.
Jess - Atwood is definitely a great author and worth checking into. Some of her books just work better for me than others.
Dot - Good point! Disappointments help us appreciate the great books even more.
ReplyDeleteMatt - I'm not very likely to try a second book by an author I haven't liked the first time. Like you, if I do go ahead and try again I will borrow rather than buy.
Patricia Cornwell and John Grisham come to mind as authors who let readers down at times but they keep coming back for more. Over the years I've watched borrowers return their books with tales of woe or elation over these authors latest works.
ReplyDeleteGlad to meet another Atwoodian. Her new book is going to be a scifi and it's sad to say, but I'm not sure I even want to bother with it. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteAfter re-thinking it, I ended up torn between the betrayal of a good author gone bad, and the disappointment when a new author I've gotten all excited about proves to have nothing more to offer.
ReplyDeleteMarie -
ReplyDeleteOh, no...another sci fi from Atwood?? I may pass on that one. Thanks for visiting!
Schatzi -
I agree that both are very disappointing. It's almost like asking which of your senses you'd miss the least...is there really any good answer? Thanks for stopping by.