I just knew I would love Ex Libris by Ross King. It has everything that I like in a book. It is set in 17th century London. The protagonist is a rare/used book dealer. There are parallel stories and a mystery or two. I have tried. I really have. But, I just can't get into it. I know it's crazy, but I almost feel guilty because I don't really like it. Don't get me wrong, it's not terrible. For me, the biggest problem is the fact that he interrupts the plot and the character development to give long, history lectures. I know some background information is necessary, and I actually love reading about history. But, this is just too much. I have actually caught myself skimming over whole paragraphs waiting to get back to the action. These interruptions have not allowed me to buy into this book. I don't really care about the characters, and I don't really care what happens.
This may not be fair because I haven't even finished it, yet. I'm about 2/3 of the way through it. Maybe it will get better. Maybe if I reread it, it will be better. Maybe if I read it later, it will be better. I will persevere until completion mainly because it is a book I'm reading for two different reading challenges, and because (darn it!) I really thought I would like it. Oh well, I'll let you know how it all ends up. I just thought I would share my frustrations. I'm sure I'm not the only person to have this type of reading experience. But, this is a first for me.
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2 comments:
I haven't read this book, but I can empathize. It's especially hard for me when a book is hugely popular or has won a prestigious prize. I feel like there's something wrong with me for not liking it. But I also think that sometimes we're just not in the right frame of mind for certain books, and it's not really the book's fault.
Sorry for taking so long to get to responding, but I have been plagued with a bout of food poison. I have made it back to the land of the living now. I think you're probably right about the timing. I still haven't finished the book, but I am going to try to finish it. But, I know what you mean about thinking there must be something wrong with me for not liking it.
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