Pic credit: USA Today
In this case, it’s GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn. The hype for this book has been nothing but positive and I just don’t get it. Somebody clue me in. People just lurve this book and I don’t see what they love about it. I couldn’t get past the first freaking chapter. This is the last time I will buy a book based on hype. It has always steered me wrong anyway. I tend to like stuff that other people don’t so why did I bother to buy this agency priced ebook? I could slap myself for wasting my money. Buzz kills books for me but for this one I just didn’t listen. I thought I could like it. I could see myself reading it and when I did well, yeah.
In closing, I will quote Book Worm:
I was expecting a lot because of all the great reviews this book got but it didn’t work for me.
Same here. Next!
Oh dear. It was on my list because of the rave reviews. I might try the first chapter on kindle if it is available.
Very interested in seeing how you like it Sarah. I had no patience for it. Plus the author seems very verbose which isn’t my thing.
Happily I have missed any hype about this (don’t think it is available here in Oz yet) but thanks for the warning and I’m sorry you got bitten. I know the feeling though – I tend to avoid mega-hyped books for the same reason as you (I tend to like books most people don’t like and not like the ones most people like) but occasionally I do fall for the hype and it very rarely ends well (though I did enjoy the Stieg Larsson books despite the hype)
Thanks Bernadette. I enjoyed the Larsson books too despite the hype.
You are so right, this book has been hyped amazingly, and is on so many “best of” & award shortlists. I read both of her previous books and could see why they are interesting, even quite liked both, though not really my cup of tea. I passed up a free copy of this one in fact, before it was published, so was annoyed at myself for that having read all the ecstatic reviews. Maybe I had the right idea after all
A friend gave me a copy of Sharp Objects. I may try to tackle that one.
I’m leery of hype too. I took the cheapskate approach and checked out her first book from the library to see if I want to spend money on this one.
Sounds like the smart approach to me. Thanks Rebecca!
I *did* love it (although I didn’t LURVE it) because I love twisty books. I will admit however that it didn’t “catch” for me until after about 80 pages! I had to be pushed to continue by a blogger friend, but I’m glad I did. On the other hand, my husband just finished it; he liked it a lot from the very beginning. But to me it is definitely a book for which the appeal grows as you continue in it, not just straight from the beginning.
good to know! Because sometimes I need encouragement to continue reading some books. I didn’t know anyone who’d read this one. Some books improve as they go along. I’ll give it another shot another time. Thanks for the feedback.
I honestly had not heard of Flynn’s most recent book until I saw this review by you. I’m surprised that I hadn’t, because I absolutely loved “Sharp Objects,” but I only have vague memories of her second one. I definitely would have tried “Gone Girl.” Well, I’m #135 on the library list now, so I’ll get back with you next year on my thoughts about it after I’ve read it.
LOL
Late to the party, but count me in. If something is hyped I download the sample. I’m tired of being burned. It doesn’t mean I won’t like it, or I won’t read it *because* of the hype, but one problem is that you often do get much information, just “you must read this book!” Not helpful, really.
I read a sample of this one before buying. The voice was fine but the style wasn’t what I was used to so I shouldn’t have bought it knowing what I typically enjoy to read. Sometimes you want to venture out and try something different and that’s the risk you take when you decide to buy any author’s book but damn this one was a costly mistake.
I have been burned so many times on ‘hyped’ books, that I don’t want to try anything new anymore. I have the first Larsen book, but still haven’t read it. Everyone I talk to tells me I’m in for a treat, but still I hesitate. I just finished another book that wasn’t hyped, but recommended by a person I trust. Meh! I feel that I’m wasting my time on books that I don’t enjoy.
I say stick with your gut and stick to what you know you like to read. The Larsson books were good not great books. I could cite better writers in that genre, Jo Nesbo for starters. You have to know your tastes and with Gillian Flynn she writes literary crime fiction and I don’t care for that at all.