Buzz
[COMPETITION: This list includes a competition.] Numerous books are hailed as literary masterpieces, with many of them earning prestigious awards. However, this list focuses on a different perspective: it explores books often labeled as 'classics,' but which are, in fact, vastly overrated. These include best-selling novels that, while hugely popular, simply don't live up to the hype, or books praised by academics as some of the greatest ever written, but which fail to impress with readability or depth beyond their clever literary techniques. Even works that are entertaining, yet grossly overestimated in terms of quality, are featured here. Below is the list of the top ten most overrated novels:
10. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy J.R.R. Tolkien
What better way to kick off the list than with a bit of controversy? 'The Lord of the Rings' stands as a pillar in the fantasy genre, with its grand narrative captivating readers. Yet, while the story is undeniably epic, Tolkien's strength as a writer is questionable. His true genius lay in his academic background and creativity, but his writing often falters. 'The Hobbit' was by far his best work in terms of prose, and although the plot of 'The Lord of the Rings' is remarkable and ambitious, the execution falls short. The books are burdened with lengthy, unnecessary details and frequent deus ex machina moments to advance the plot. Despite the greatness of the story, the writing does not meet the high acclaim often heaped upon it.
Purchase at Amazon: The Lord of the Rings: 50th Anniversary, One Volume Edition
9. A Passage to India E.M. Forster
'A Passage to India' is often regarded as E.M. Forster's finest novel and continues to enjoy a place in academic circles. It is celebrated as an early and bold exploration of race relations, shocking readers at the time of its release. However, modern critics argue that, in contrast to the lasting appeal of authors like Hemingway, Joyce, Huxley, Sinclair Lewis, and others, Forster's characters come off as stiff and caricatured. The writing feels outdated and sluggish, while the social commentary lacks the punch seen in works by Harlem Renaissance authors. Furthermore, the portrayal of Indian natives appears almost indistinguishable from the British characters, diminishing the novel's impact. These critiques are well-supported and thought-provoking.
Purchase at Amazon: A Passage to India (Penguin Classics)
8. White Noise & Underworld Don Delillo
This is a two-for-one deal. Don Delillo is revered by many English professors, but his works also face significant disdain from grad students and other scholars. These books have found their primary audience in academia, especially among professors, while general readers aren't as enthusiastic. Furthermore, many professors seem indifferent to his works, leading to the conclusion that Delillo is often highly overrated.
Purchase at Amazon: White Noise (Penguin Great Books of the 20th Century)
7. Atlas Shrugged Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand is perhaps one of the most polarizing authors, rivaling only L. Ron Hubbard in terms of divisiveness. 'Atlas Shrugged,' often hailed as one of her monumental works, is actually a slow-moving, thinly disguised political and moral essay. The overwhelming hype surrounding it far surpasses the actual quality of the story, ensuring that this book could not escape being on this list — even if many readers still consider it a worthwhile read. [JFrater: You can’t say we don’t offer differing opinions: this is one of my personal favorite books!]
Purchase at Amazon: Atlas Shrugged (Centennial Ed. HC)
6. One Hundred Years of Solitude Gabriel García Márquez
'A Brief History of Time' by Stephen Hawking earned the nickname 'The unread best seller' from critics, who observed that while it topped best-seller lists, few readers managed to get past the first few chapters. 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' is the fictional counterpart to this. It is hailed as a masterpiece, a complex and pioneering work that introduced magical realism as a genre. However, when you need extensive cliff notes just to grasp the plot, and the book is mostly sustained by its place in college syllabi, there's a clear issue. For a book that’s almost guaranteed a spot on any '100 best books ever' list, it's surprisingly difficult to read and understand.
Purchase at Amazon: One Hundred Years of Solitude (P.S.)
5. The Da Vinci Code Dan Brown
The Da Vinci Code is beloved by many readers but is generally looked down upon by literature experts and professors. It’s filled with factual inaccuracies, has amateurish writing, and mixes the narrator’s voice with the main character’s perspective. Additionally, it pushes social commentary as though it were fact. Why isn't it considered the most overrated book of all time? Because most readers see it for what it is: a controversial, marketable story with enough intrigue to become a bestseller, but ultimately poorly written with numerous plot holes.
Purchase at Amazon: The Da Vinci Code
4. Confederacy of Dunces John Kennedy Toole
The backstory of this novel is captivating: the author, after failing to secure a publisher, tragically took his own life, and the book was published a decade later, eventually winning the Pulitzer Prize. The plot is a modern, Americanized take on 'Don Quixote.' While the writing is decent, the humor is hit or miss, with a few jokes landing while many fall flat. Moreover, it breaks a key rule in literature: the protagonist needs to be someone the reader can either like or at least sympathize with. This book is tolerable, but its current acclaim is far greater than the quality it actually delivers.
Purchase at Amazon: A Confederacy of Dunces
3. Emma Jane Austen
You can argue all you want, but any book where virtually nothing happens for 400 pages, followed by a naive girl maturing and marrying a much older man named 'Mr. Knightly' (and then living happily ever after), should not be hailed as one of the greatest novels of all time. In colleges and grad schools, this book is often referred to as the perfect novel with an impeccable plot, even the best novel ever written. While it may have been revolutionary in its time, today it feels more like chick lit with a simplistic and outdated plot. It may serve as light summer reading for young girls, but it certainly isn’t the best novel ever written by any measure, making it one of the most overrated books of all time.
Purchase at Amazon: Emma (Barnes & Noble Classics)
2. Wuthering Heights Emily Bronte
This book has earned its status as a classic, but the reason for its acclaim isn’t entirely clear. While it was an ambitious effort, and the Brontë sisters paved the way for women writers, being groundbreaking in its time doesn't necessarily justify its place as a timeless classic. Some books feel outdated, poorly structured, and not every groundbreaking book is well-crafted. Many believe that 'Wuthering Heights' is a prime example of these flaws, and its elevated status in literature often places it high on the list of overrated works.
Buy now on Amazon: Wuthering Heights (Penguin Popular Classics)
1. The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald
This book was out of circulation for nearly thirty years. Fitzgerald had such an impact that even after time had passed and the world moved on, two professors revived his legacy with a series of academic papers in the 1960s. As a result, the book was republished and soon became a staple in high school curriculums nationwide. One can almost hear the collective groan of students everywhere, questioning how this overhyped, recycled drama managed to escape the depths of obscurity.
Buy now on Amazon: The Great Gatsby
+ Competition
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