I've never been particularly into Elizabeth Gilbert, but I still find the vitriol towards the book baffling.
But lately it does seem like many readers discussing books online expect literature (in the broad sense) to present life and relationships as they OUGHT to be in an idealist's world, rather than as stories that help us better understand the imperfect life and relationships we do have out here in the real world (or quite simply stories that entertain and engage us). If your book doesn't seem to meet that ideal, even based on the blurb, you can expect to be bombed by 1-star reviews before you book even hits the shelves.
I don't know what people think they're achieving with this behaviour, but personally I think it degrades the quality of the books being published. I've read several romances recently where there was absolutely no conflict or chemistry, because the characters only ever had appropriate, reasonable reactions to things. And I need it to stop. :')
Character behaviour doesn't represent author beliefs. A storyline which includes a behaviour does not condone the behaviour.
What an excellent list, I loved one hundred years of solitude but haven't read love in the time of cholera, I'll have to track it down. I love returning to behind the scenes at the museum by Kate Atkinson which I first read as a teenager.
Thanks for sharing this list! This GGM is a classic and due better praise than his more famous ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’. Thanks to you I have now added a few books to my wishlist and I’ve listened today to Maisie Hill’s ‘There will be blood’ - extremely good!
Great list, especially the Garcia Marquez and Kapuściński, two of my favourite books. Will give the AA Gill and The Tao of Pooh books a read ... thanks :)
These are excellent! The Tao of Poo in particular.
Some of my favorites/regular repeats are Piranesi by Susanna Clarke, pretty much anything by Neil Gaiman, and, believe it or not, Jane Eyre (so beautiful and full of wisdom). Recently I really enjoyed the two book series A psalm for the wild built/A prayer for the crown shy by Becky Chambers and also The Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. Mandel.
I've never been particularly into Elizabeth Gilbert, but I still find the vitriol towards the book baffling.
But lately it does seem like many readers discussing books online expect literature (in the broad sense) to present life and relationships as they OUGHT to be in an idealist's world, rather than as stories that help us better understand the imperfect life and relationships we do have out here in the real world (or quite simply stories that entertain and engage us). If your book doesn't seem to meet that ideal, even based on the blurb, you can expect to be bombed by 1-star reviews before you book even hits the shelves.
I don't know what people think they're achieving with this behaviour, but personally I think it degrades the quality of the books being published. I've read several romances recently where there was absolutely no conflict or chemistry, because the characters only ever had appropriate, reasonable reactions to things. And I need it to stop. :')
Character behaviour doesn't represent author beliefs. A storyline which includes a behaviour does not condone the behaviour.
What an excellent list, I loved one hundred years of solitude but haven't read love in the time of cholera, I'll have to track it down. I love returning to behind the scenes at the museum by Kate Atkinson which I first read as a teenager.
I hope you are fully recovered now! ❤️
Thanks for sharing this list! This GGM is a classic and due better praise than his more famous ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’. Thanks to you I have now added a few books to my wishlist and I’ve listened today to Maisie Hill’s ‘There will be blood’ - extremely good!
Great list, especially the Garcia Marquez and Kapuściński, two of my favourite books. Will give the AA Gill and The Tao of Pooh books a read ... thanks :)
State of Wonder is so good! Forever recommending it too💚
These are excellent! The Tao of Poo in particular.
Some of my favorites/regular repeats are Piranesi by Susanna Clarke, pretty much anything by Neil Gaiman, and, believe it or not, Jane Eyre (so beautiful and full of wisdom). Recently I really enjoyed the two book series A psalm for the wild built/A prayer for the crown shy by Becky Chambers and also The Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. Mandel.