Yep, I’m throwing in the towel. I really did want to finish, but when the thought of picking up a book makes you cringe, it’s time to admit defeat.
I lasted 260 pages, and the only thing I’ve gotten out the book is that I loathe Melville. Seriously. Can’t stand his style, his chattiness, his use of 10,000 words when just one would do, and that fact that after 260 pages, the damn whale STILL hasn’t made an appearance.
Now I can spend some time with my new love, Steinbeck.
Congratulations to Billy, whose picketing, I’m sure, was a major factor in this decision. And here’s to not wasting time on books that aren’t doing it for you, no matter how much you’re supposed to want to read them
.-= Rebecca @ The Book Lady’s Blog´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon 1.10.10 =-.
You gave it a whale-of-an effort and I applaud you.
.-= Care´s last blog ..Thoughts on Bloggiesta =-.
Hee, I’m glad I didn’t even START along with you! I even bookcrossed my copy last month since I figured I was never going to read it anyway. I think it’s a great accomplishment that you’ve gotten as far as you did — hell, you’ve tried, haven’t you?!
Curious to read about your new love… I’ve decided on The Grapes of Wrath as my best read of 2009. Bloggiesta helped me write a review, which I’ll post somewhere this week. Or are we talking different Steinbecks here?
.-= Gnoe (on Graasland)´s last blog ..Bloggiesta Afterparty =-.
Yeah, it must have been extra difficult to even think about picking this book up when your other choice is to read that gem of a book you’ve got going right now (did I mention how much I love EAST OF EDEN?) … I completely understand the DNF.
.-= Heather J.´s last blog ..My Blogiversary is today! =-.
At least you gave it a shot – that’s more than I can say.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Giveaway: The Lonely Hearts Club =-.
Steinbeck is wonderful! Don’t miss the whole Cannery Row series.
I understand about Moby Dick, although I really loved it. I think you have to be in the mood to just immerse yourself in all that language. I read it years ago in college, but I’m not sure I’d have the patience for it now.
I confess that I’ve never read Melville, but if a lengthy novel that doesn’t make you cringe is what you’re looking for then I whole-heartedly support your return to Steinbeck!
I do dream of someday tackling Moby Dick, but I know I’m not in the right place to do so right now. You gave it a good effort, so I don’t think you should regret this decision!
.-= Steph´s last blog ..What We Watched: Jan 3 – Jan 9 =-.
Good for you! If it wasn’t doing the trick move on. Why have that to worry about in addition to game on!
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Progress: Notes From A Reading Life ~ January 11 =-.
Oh noo! I’m scared to read this now as me + extremely verbose description = unhappiness. It’s good you tried to read it though… do you think you’ll pick it up again?
.-= She´s last blog ..Sunday Salon! =-.
I don’t blame you at all. We read Billy Budd in high school and I shudder to even think about reading this book. Steinbeck’s a million times better!
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Harry Potter #1, by JK Rowling =-.
Well you tried. Nothing wrong with that. I’m really behind but I’m going to try to read more this week and see how it goes.
.-= Darlene´s last blog ..Book Review: Spin by Catherine McKenzie =-.
You totally made the right decision. EAST OF EDEN is one of my all-time favorites, and I remain perfectly content never having read Melville (or planning to!).
.-= Florinda´s last blog ..Bloggiesta Wrap-up: Missions accomplished =-.
You are so brave to even TRY to read this book! I’ve determined that this one of the “greats” I’ll never be able to mark as read – I have no desire to read it at all.
I’d choose Steinbeck over Melville any day!!
.-= JoAnn´s last blog ..Short Story Monday: "The Color of Shadows" by Colm Toibin =-.
There are far too many fabulous books out there that you will love, so good on you! You have my support
.-= Helen´s last blog ..Please help me…and Bloggiesta Finish Line =-.
At least you tried! I love Steinbeck myself, so enjoy him!!
.-= Valerie´s last blog ..“The Calligrapher’s Daughter”, by Eugenia Kim =-.
We are Melville soul mates. I abhor his work. I could easily use 10,000 words to describe how much. But, we both know it from experience. That’s the important thing. Joseph Conrad falls into the same category for me, BTW.
Enjoy Steinbeck!
.-= Literate Housewife´s last blog ..#227 ~ The Little Stranger =-.
LOL; we have like the opposite opinion of Melville! But we’re united in our Steinbeck love at least.
.-= Eva´s last blog ..Moby Dick Monday: I’ve Conquered the White Whale! =-.
Hey, I liked Moby Dick!
Oh well. You finished Kristin Lavransdatter. You so get a pass on this one.
.-= EL Fay´s last blog ..A Very Creepy Music Video =-.
Oh I don’t blame you! Moby Dick was one of those books that I read in college and loathed and never felt that if I re-read it when I was older I would really learn to appreciate it. Onto better reads!
.-= Amused´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday – Jan. 3-9, 2010 =-.
A good reader has to know when to say when. You gave it a good solid try, and I applaud you *clap clap clap clap clap*.
.-= Ali (worducopia)´s last blog ..Diversity Roll Call: Best of 2009 =-.
Yea Steinbeck! Read “The Winter of Our Discontent.”
.-= veronica´s last blog ..The Heretic’s Apprentice – Ellis Peters =-.
You got further than I ever could. I honestly personally do not know anyone who has ever finished this and liked it at the end.
.-= Ladytink_534´s last blog ..Ghosts in Charleston Don’t Rest Easy =-.
I’m all for Steinbeck. I’ve enjoyed the 3 of his that I’ve read: The Grapes of Wrath, Travels with Charley, and Cannery Row.
.-= charley´s last blog ..The Good Thief =-.
I can’t stand feeling like I need to finish a book that I’ve come to really dread picking up! I think you lasted a nice long time, getting through 260 pages.
Good for you. I read Melville for the first time last year, but chose the novella Billy Budd. I was not impressed.
.-= Stacy´s last blog ..Monday Movie meme Monster Mash =-.
Sorry to hear that you just weren’t having a good time. It worked for me when I slowed my reading right down to a crawl. Now I’m loving it but I always liked long descriptive passages. Maybe you’ll be ready for it in the years to come. I’m 60 and I don’t think I was ready for it at your age. Have fun with Steinbeck. Grapes of Wrath is my favourite.
.-= Sandra´s last blog ..Moby Dick by Herman Melville =-.
If I ever have a Not TBR list, Moby Dick would be in it
.-= mee´s last blog ..Book Awards IV, Bring It On! =-.
This post & (many of) these comments are balm to my soul. Everyone else who’s doing the Moby Dick readalong seems to be loving it, but I had to read it twice in college and I want to pitch it into the sea to get swallowed by a whale. I support your abandoning it!
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..Watching the English and Changing My Mind =-.
And the white whale gets another one…
I don’t blame you … it just sounds like torture.
.-= Jenners´s last blog ..A Review (Of Sorts) of Lamb by Christopher Moore =-.
Oh no! And I haven’t even started yet. Was looking forward to reading your thoughts (have bookmarked every one) and reading along with you. But oh well.. I also support not reading anything more of something that makes you cringe whenever you pick it up! Happy Steinbeck reading (I’ll be doing the same in a few months)!
.-= claire´s last blog ..The View from Castle Rock =-.
LOL! The damn Whale