Things you should like, but don't

[tented]

Is there a film, book, poem, play, painting, song, symphony, etc. which is widely considered to be a masterpiece, so you think you should like it, but don't?

This week, I tried reading Salman Rushdie's "Midnight's Children" (my third time), which is why I've been pondering this myself. So many consider it to be a great novel, but to me it's derivative and inert. Forced, without any forward motion. A poor imitation of Garcia Marquez, but Rushdie doesn't have GGM's originality and greatness.

 

[Shamal90]

I have been told i should read Literary theory for the MA entrance exam, and of course I should like it. I am quite sure I should read this, but I really don't like.

 

[Federberg]

Dr Zhivago. I've watched about the first 30 minutes, and on other occasions the last 30 minutes. But the film is insufferably long. I just can't invest the time to watch the whole thing. I'll never get those hours back!

 

[Kirijax]

I've tried, I really have, but I have never understood the world's fascination with The Beatles. I think a lot of people like them because you're SUPPOSED to like them. I have five of their CDs and try to find something I like about them every once in a while, but no. Just bleech.

 

[tented]

I have been told i should read Literary theory for the MA entrance exam, and of course I should like it. I am quite sure I should read this, but I really don't like.

Hi Shamal90, and welcome to Tennis Frontier.

Is there a specific literary theorist's book you should read?

 

[Shamal90]

I have been told i should read Literary theory for the MA entrance exam, and of course I should like it. I am quite sure I should read this, but I really don't like.

Hi Shamal90, and welcome to Tennis Frontier.

Is there a specific literary theorist's book you should read?

Dear tented thanks a lot .... I am new in this website, I like it very much and I like people here.

(from University)They have just said that literary theory, literary and criticism are going to be included in the entrance exam (mainly English).
The Department has not specified a book, but I am focusing on papers. some friends have suggested books for me.
The thing that is difficult for me is post-colonialism. I have studied literature in general it is so broad, and currently I don't have a wide knowledge about it. I think this is the cause why I don't like studying it.

any suggestion will be highly appreciated.

 

[britbox]

I've tried, I really have, but I have never understood the world's fascination with The Beatles. I think a lot of people like them because you're SUPPOSED to like them. I have five of their CDs and try to find something I like about them every once in a while, but no. Just bleech.

Nope, a lot of people liked them in their heyday when they didn't need to like them (before my time). I like the Beatles personally and I liked them as individuals when they split. Plenty of classic tunes that still hold their own. I'm more surprised that you bought 5 CDs when you didn't like them.

 

[Riotbeard]

I have been told i should read Literary theory for the MA entrance exam, and of course I should like it. I am quite sure I should read this, but I really don't like.

Hi Shamal90, and welcome to Tennis Frontier.

Is there a specific literary theorist's book you should read?

Dear tented thanks a lot .... I am new in this website, I like it very much and I like people here.

(from University)They have just said that literary theory, literary and criticism are going to be included in the entrance exam (mainly English).
The Department has not specified a book, but I am focusing on papers. some friends have suggested books for me.
The thing that is difficult for me is post-colonialism. I have studied literature in general it is so broad, and currently I don't have a wide knowledge about it. I think this is the cause why I don't like studying it.

any suggestion will be highly appreciated.

Edward Said Orientalism. My favorite theorist is Michel Foucault, but he is a post-structuralist (kinda) not a post-colonialist.

For me the thing I can't get into but should like is Apocalypse Now. I have given it a bunch of tries but always fall asleep, thus I have given up.

 

[Riotbeard]

I have been told i should read Literary theory for the MA entrance exam, and of course I should like it. I am quite sure I should read this, but I really don't like.

Hi Shamal90, and welcome to Tennis Frontier.

Is there a specific literary theorist's book you should read?

Dear tented thanks a lot .... I am new in this website, I like it very much and I like people here.

(from University)They have just said that literary theory, literary and criticism are going to be included in the entrance exam (mainly English).
The Department has not specified a book, but I am focusing on papers. some friends have suggested books for me.
The thing that is difficult for me is post-colonialism. I have studied literature in general it is so broad, and currently I don't have a wide knowledge about it. I think this is the cause why I don't like studying it.

any suggestion will be highly appreciated.

A Intro to Post-Colonialism Reader like this could be a useful starting point, instead of jumping into a specific theorist. This reader could familiarize you with the debates in the field and how it has developed. Also, welcome Shamal!

 

[Kirijax]

I've tried, I really have, but I have never understood the world's fascination with The Beatles. I think a lot of people like them because you're SUPPOSED to like them. I have five of their CDs and try to find something I like about them every once in a while, but no. Just bleech.

Nope, a lot of people liked them in their heyday when they didn't need to like them (before my time). I like the Beatles personally and I liked them as individuals when they split. Plenty of classic tunes that still hold their own. I'm more surprised that you bought 5 CDs when you didn't like them.

Hey, I'm trying! Seven billion people can't be wrong! I'm more of an ABBA man myself.

 

[Riotbeard]

I've tried, I really have, but I have never understood the world's fascination with The Beatles. I think a lot of people like them because you're SUPPOSED to like them. I have five of their CDs and try to find something I like about them every once in a while, but no. Just bleech.

Nope, a lot of people liked them in their heyday when they didn't need to like them (before my time). I like the Beatles personally and I liked them as individuals when they split. Plenty of classic tunes that still hold their own. I'm more surprised that you bought 5 CDs when you didn't like them.

I agree with Kirijax. For me, The Beatles are fine. I know they were super influential, but I don't really get all the hub-bub. I feel the same about Radiohead. Seen them live, have albums, but they're not god's gift to music.

 

[Federberg]

^I know what you mean about the Beatles. Some of their stuff was good, but it's clear it was really more about how revolutionary they must have sounded back in the day. I think I bought a Beatles greatest hits because I felt I should have something that iconic in my collection, but to be honest I've listened to it maybe.. once? Doesn't really do it for me!

As an aside, it's only in recently I realised that 'Live and let die' is a McCartney song. I love that song, but haven't been that impressed with much he's done by himself. Prefer Lennons solitary work generally. That said, I did have the pleasure of striking up a conversation with him in a cafe in Maida Vale (he lives in the area). A really nice guy and a chess fan (I happened to be reading a particular book which causes him to strike up a conversation).

And just to show what a small world it is a few months ago, I walked past a really attractive looking blonde in Berkeley Square (in Mayfair), and only realised shortly afterwards it was McCartney's ex Heather Mills - she of the one leg. You would never guess she's handicapped. Finally understood the attraction for Paul!

 

[Shamal90]

Hi Shamal90, and welcome to Tennis Frontier.

Is there a specific literary theorist's book you should read?

any suggestion will be highly appreciated.

A Intro to Post-Colonialism Reader like this could be a useful starting point, instead of jumping into a specific theorist. This reader could familiarize you with the debates in the field and how it has developed. Also, welcome Shamal!

Dear Riotbeard Thanks a lot, and I appreciate your suggestion.
in undergraduate degree I didn't study post-colonialism.. your suggestion will be a good start whiten literary theory. I should focus a lot on Edward Said to be well prepared, I have three months ahead to the exam.

 

[Riotbeard]

any suggestion will be highly appreciated.

A Intro to Post-Colonialism Reader like this could be a useful starting point, instead of jumping into a specific theorist. This reader could familiarize you with the debates in the field and how it has developed. Also, welcome Shamal!

Dear Riotbeard Thanks a lot, and I appreciate your suggestion.
in undergraduate degree I didn't study post-colonialism.. your suggestion will be a good start whiten literary theory. I should focus a lot on Edward Said to be well prepared, I have three months ahead to the exam.

No problem! I found an intro very helpful, when I started using a lot of critical theory (I am working on a PhD in history). Theory is tough, but once something starts to click, it can be very rewarding.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Ulysses , James Joyce. I tried..I really tried hard...

 

[Riotbeard]

Moby Dick...

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Moby Dick...

Uhm, please edit your post to "Moby Penis" or similar. Thnks.







:snicker

 

[Kieran]

Read 100 Years of Solitude, and it felt like 1000 years. Sentimental. Just didn't get it.

As for the Beatles, I like them but don't listen to them. I think John Lennon's solo song Imagine is the dopiest lyric I ever heard. A five year old child wouldn't be so naive, I can only think it's the most cynical and maudlin escapade in rawk music history.

The movies Gladiator and Heat both left me cold.

Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by my hero Mozart drives me nuts. So do any Bach concertos on the harpsichord. In fact, anything played on harpsichord.

I've got a few of these, T, great idea for a thread! :clap

 

[Horsa]

I should like the valley of horses by Jean M. Auel because I absolutely adore horses & there are a lot of horses in the story but I don't because I'm too squeamish & all the mentions of butchering horses makes me feel physically sick. I was reading it as part of a reading challenge for the book that takes me out of my comfort zone but someone bought Sisters in Arms for me instead which is about the Q.A.I.M.N.S (Queen Alexander's Imperial Nursing Service) so I started reading that instead as it still takes me out of my comfort zone but it's non-fiction so I'm learning something but I'm still struggling with it.

 

[Vince Evert]

Healthy foods especially following a hearts bypass Op two years ago.