I read four books in a row in the past 2 weeks that all started out with the potential to be The Best Thing Ever. Unfortunately for me (and the books), the second halves of all four books went places I just didn’t want them to go (even though, over all, most of them were still good books). But lucky for me, today I broke the bad second half juju with the totally awesome The Song of Achilles. Totally awesome first half and second half, thank you gods (I figure I better thank them because they wreak havoc in the book when they’re pissed off) and Madeline Miller.
So what were those four books with the disappointing second halves? Well, if you really want to know…
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Cloud Atlas (the one that pissed me off the most)
Arcadia (and really it’s just the future setting in the last 1/3 of the book that I’m upset with)
The Sense of an Ending (I mean really…was that necessary, Mr. Barnes?)
The Fault in Our Stars (at least it didn’t end mid-sentence)
More thoughts on all 5 books coming soon to a blog near you.
I ***totally**** thought TFIOS would end mid-sentence! LOLOL
You and Other Jill have me very curious about the ending of The Fault in Our Stars now.
bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last [type] ..Today’s winners!
Um, hilariously this post about The Fault in Our Stars being disappointing to you makes me want to read at least the last few pages of it because I want to understand this whole mid-sentence ending (or non-ending) thing…
Aarti´s last [type] ..Musings: The Anvil of the World
Oh no! I’m sorry you were disappointed by Cloud Atlas. I’m still slogging through the Sloosha section. I’m curious to see your review to see what bothered you. I have The Fault in Our Stars on hold at the library. I wonder if I’ll find the second half frustrating as well. Glad you broke the streak though!
Kristi´s last [type] ..Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Cloud Atlas scares me. And I know nothing about it except for the name. Which is SCARY. And please don’t tell me that Mr. Green disappointed? I love that man. Like I want to have bookbabies with him. I just want to lounge around in jammies and have him write books for ME only. Bwhahaha.
Still can’t wait to hear your thoughts because I DETEST a lousy ending to a smashing beginning.
christina´s last [type] ..And I’m Out…
Glad the streak is broken! I loved The Sense of an Ending though. After I finished, almost turned back to the beginning for a reread… then decided to wait a few months instead.
JoAnn´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday
Heh. Given that I count Cloud Atlas, The Sense of an Ending, and Arcadia among the best books I’ve ever read, I think I’d better get my hands on The Fault in Our Stars!
Amy´s last [type] ..Arcadia
Now I’m dreadfully worried about Arcadia! I just started it last night and it’s not the easiest beginning in the world of books, but now the last half is crazy?
Aths´s last [type] ..In the Bed Department by Anne Enright
Depends who you ask, Aths. I loved it.
Amy´s last [type] ..Arcadia
Well yay for you … but I’m surprised about The Fault Is In Our Stars… everyone seems to LOVE that one.
Jenners´s last [type] ..Review: Some Assembly Required by Anne Lamott with Sam Lamott
I was so so so so glad he didn’t end TFiOS mid-sentence. I worried about that the whole book. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on it.
Heather´s last [type] ..Once Upon a Time – a Reader’s Pool
Uh oh. I’ve got some picky questions about the 2nd Luisa Rey section in Cloud Atlas.
Care´s last [type] ..Angels and Insects; The Conjugial Angel
Oh oh… I just picked up Fault In Our Stars…. what…
Sheila (Book Journey)´s last [type] ..It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Dang! Arcadia, Fault in our Stars, and The Sense of Ending are all on my reading list this week! I am kind of curious now.
Vasilly´s last [type] ..Review: Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral