Buzz
Can we just agree to disagree? Yes, I have an English degree, and I spent plenty of time immersed in Shakespeare during college. Who doesn’t adore a classic Elizabethan tragedy? Still, I can’t be reading about doomed lovers and revenge plots every day. Sometimes, my brain craves something light and fun. It doesn’t need to be highbrow. In fact, I prefer when it’s not. When I need to switch off my critical thinking, there’s nothing like a good vampire romance to satisfy my mood, just like any other fan of young adult fiction.
While I enjoy some books on this list, and others might not be my taste, they each have their dedicated fanbase and loyal followers, which is something none of us can deny. With that in mind, here are 10 poorly written books that people still adore.
10. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
I’ll admit it: I read the fantasy romance novel everyone was buzzing about. My mom was hooked. So was my aunt. A few years later, the three of us went to the movie together. Come on, admit it—you did too. We all devoured the whole series and even picked our favorite teams!
Let’s set the record straight right from the start—I would likely sell one of my kidneys (maybe both) for even a fraction of the financial success Stephanie Meyer has made from her books. But, despite that, I don’t know a single person, even among the most die-hard fans, who would argue that the vampire vs. werewolves saga belongs in the realm of literary classics.
While I may not be the ultimate expert on Ms. Meyer’s writing style, we can trust the modern-day master of horror to give us his take. In a 2009 interview with USA Weekend where he compared the Harry Potter series to Twilight, author Stephen King said, “The real difference is that Rowling is a terrific writer and Stephanie Meyer can’t write worth a darn. She’s not very good.”
Ouch! While Stephanie Meyer was likely not thrilled by Stephen King’s critique of her work, she was probably laughing all the way to the bank.
9. The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger by Stephen King
If we’re using Stephen King to poke fun at Stephanie Meyer, let’s be fair and consider both sides. It’s impossible to argue that King is a genius and one of America’s most successful authors. His novels like Carrie, Pet Sematary, The Shining, and It are seen as iconic horror classics. Plus, they’ve all been adapted (and some re-adapted) into wildly successful films. Even though I’m not a big fan of such dark stories, I do enjoy some of King’s non-horror works, like The Green Mile, The Shawshank Redemption, and Stand By Me.
Even with nearly half a century of literary achievements, Stephen King isn’t immune to a few missteps. While his Dark Tower series is beloved by many, I’ve noticed that more people want to like it but struggle with its complexity, especially the first book, The Gunslinger. I’ve even heard fans of King refer to The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger as boring and difficult to get through. Those who are fond of the entire series defend the first book, claiming it’s crucial to understanding the later books.
While die-hard King fans may look for ways to love the book and series, it seems like a lot of effort to convince yourself to enjoy something that just doesn’t resonate with many readers. Stephen King deserves credit for experimenting with different ideas as a writer, but I think most of his fans would be more satisfied with some of his other works.
8. Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Holden Caulfield is undeniably one of the most iconic characters in American literature. Whether you love him or hate him, J.D. Salinger’s protagonist certainly leaves a lasting impression on readers. However, the overall enjoyment of the novel (or lack thereof) seems to be mostly tied to the character. Many readers seem to overlook the tedious writing and lack of plot.
Of course, the repetitive writing style is likely intentional, as the story is narrated by a sixteen-year-old boy struggling in school. Still, if you’re bothered by a simple, repetitive writing style, this may not be the book for you.
7. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Since I’m on a roll critiquing the classics of American literature, let’s continue with my honest thoughts on The Great Gatsby. While I admit I was young when I first read it, I genuinely wanted to like F. Scott Fitzgerald’s renowned novel. It’s a staple in high school English classes, and I found enjoyment in most of the books my teachers assigned.
That being said, this is one book I just couldn’t bring myself to enjoy. I can appreciate well-crafted books, even if I don’t particularly care for the story, but nothing about The Great Gatsby resonated with me. If I were alone in my opinion, I’d chalk it up to a personal preference. The issue, however, is that I’ve spoken with many of my peers and even older friends who read extensively and share the same sentiment.
Of course, I know there are people (mostly English teachers) who adore it. Maybe one day I’ll revisit The Great Gatsby and uncover something I missed during my first read, but that day is certainly not today.
6. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes was another book I had heard great things about and really wanted to enjoy. My uncle was a huge fan, so I decided to read it in October to get into the Halloween spirit. The title, which references a line from the Shakespearean witch in Macbeth, piqued my interest, as I had enjoyed my college Shakespeare courses.
From the start, I wasn’t a fan of the winding plot and found it difficult to follow at times, only for it to become overly predictable at others. I stuck with it, though, eager to see how it would end. Then, of course, the over-the-top, corny conclusion left me puzzled. Really?
Even after finishing it, I spent some time reflecting on why others had enjoyed it so much, trying to grasp the central theme of good versus evil. However, I can’t say I’ve ever fully appreciated Bradbury’s novel in the way some readers have.
5. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Alright, so I’ve been diving into some older books in my recent picks, so let me switch gears with something more modern: Cormac McCarthy’s The Road. Like many readers, I did enjoy this novel, but with some reservations. Given all the critical acclaim it received, I can’t say I enjoyed it as much as many of its reviewers did.
What makes The Road so challenging to read is McCarthy’s writing style and the imagery he uses. It’s deeply depressing. McCarthy does this intentionally, as it’s a post-apocalyptic world, so happiness isn’t exactly on the menu. Still, it was so overwhelmingly dark that I had to take breaks and force myself to finish the book. I kept going because the father-son relationship kept me engaged. However, it’s not a book I’ll ever feel compelled to revisit.
4. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Because Life of Pi was so well-received and critically acclaimed upon release, including it in this list is likely to be unpopular with some. In fact, its success created a hype that made readers embrace the story more than they might have otherwise. I genuinely wanted to enjoy the book, but the plot felt too far-fetched.
While I understand that the unbelievable aspects of the story were meant to play into the novel’s conclusion, it also made the book feel dragged out. Despite the desire to find out how it ends, the lack of believability and the drawn-out nature of the events made reading Life of Pi feel like a long, painful experience at certain points.
3. Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck
This novel taught me that the same author can create a timeless masterpiece in one book and an utter failure in another.
I was moved by Steinbeck’s novel Of Mice and Men in high school English, so I thought I’d give one of his shorter works a shot. In all honesty, Danny and Pilon in Tortilla Flat don't hold a candle to George and Lenny from Of Mice and Men.
Steinbeck aimed to depict a simple life, but the writing is so basic that it risks putting readers to sleep. If you're struggling with insomnia, this might be the book for you.
2. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Gone Girl is one of the top books I consider overrated. I don't recall it being particularly well-written, though I’ll admit that my personal bias might be clouding my judgment. This book made me realize that I find little enjoyment in a story where none of the characters are remotely likable.
I can see this happening in non-fiction, where the facts are set, but when creating a fictional world, shouldn't an author at least add a character you can root for? Reading Gone Girl is like listening to fingernails scraping a chalkboard as you uncover more about the unsavory characters.
1. The Hobbit by J.R. Tolkien
Since I’m already in trouble with some of my other selections, I might as well keep going. I have to mention J.R. Tolkien’s iconic story, The Hobbit. I’ll admit, Tolkien’s writing might have been revolutionary in its time.
Fantasy often serves as an entry point for many writers since authors can make anything seem believable within their imagined worlds. However, Tolkien spends pages describing landscapes without advancing the plot. And yet, this book, which is barely over 300 pages, inspired three separate movies! So what do I know about good taste?
