Girl on the Train

[moredetails.livejournal.com]

Just an update (from this post) to say that I gave up on this book. I listened to a bit more and it was just very dreary and not going anywhere. I knew something was eventually supposed to happen, but it wasn't worth it to me.

Now that I've read some reviews and totally spoiled the story for myself by reading up on Wikipedia, I'm glad I didn't try to continue it! The main characters are all messed up women with bleak lives. It's just not my style, though obviously a lot of other people loved it. I guess they have a higher tolerance for that sort of thing.

Also, the "girl" this book speaks of is a 30-something woman. I'm not sure why the author chose to girlify her adult female characters, but some reviews mentioned that they are referred to like that in other parts of the book, too, while the men are men. Kind of interesting.

Comments

[silent-soprano.livejournal.com]

As much as I hate to give up on a book there are probably some cases where it's just best to cut your losses and stop while you're ahead. I know a lot of people stand by the 10% rule (Give a 300 page book until page 3 to get interesting). But sometimes you find yourself stuck awkwardly midway through a book, one that started off promising and that you heard SO MUCH about, and wondering if things will ever improve. If you have to ask that...the answer is probably not.

[moredetails.livejournal.com]

I've been much more willing to give up on books the older I get. I don't have time to waste when there are so many good books out there! 10% sounds good...I suppose I made it to about that with this one.