Litwit Lounge discussion

Good question! I'd have to say: Terry Brooks, David Weber, and Charlaine Harris.
I read Terry Brooks' Sword of Shannara before I'd read much other fantasy, and I thought it was okay but didn't like it enough to pursue the rest of the series. (I later realised he basically just copied Tolkien.) After years of people going on about him, I decided to give him another try--with the novelisation of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (yes, I'm a Star Wars fan; I even like that movie). Worst novelisation I've ever read.
I'd heard about David Weber for years, but when I finally tried one of his Honor Harrington books, I hated his overblown style and had to force myself to finish it.
I have friends who like Charlaine Harris' books and the True Blood TV series, so I tried the first of Harris' Sookie Stackhouse books and hated it, too--I didn't care much for any of the characters or their situation.

Pathetic, how so? Badly written or just uninteresting? I found Angela's Ashes difficult to get through because of the subject matter and thought he ended up over-romanticising his worthless father.

First, I've got a different veiw-point on this question. I hate writting authors off after one bad book. So what I have is an Author Second Chance list, and after the second attempt I either ditch them or realise they have just attempted a genre that is truly NOT their calling.

example: Justin Cronin - The Passage: I had such high hopes for this book, and being a person who enjoys a good Dystopian novel, decided to use his book as kindling for our campfire. I got to a point in this book where I kept reading the same page over and over and could not get any further. I was so upset, I am not sure I would ever read another book by him.

I think that being forced to read Ernest Hemingway in high school killed any second chances he would have ever had - even reading his books with the understanding that he was consistently drunk does not help me to understand the pathos behind his writting.

But...

Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian was a novel that never should have made it on to the NYT's best seller list and yet I can't wait to find time to finish The Swan Thieves, as such she is a "Second Chance Author"

Another author that has received a successful second chance is Charlaine Harris, her Southern Vampire series made me frustrated and angry as well as scratching my head in confusion. Maybe I have read too many PNR's that stick to a set formula and this series tries to break free of that formula? Anyways I love her Shakespeare series.

I apologise for spelling mistakes! I think we need a spell check option on these things.

Callista wrote: "Good question! I'd have to say: Terry Brooks, David Weber, and Charlaine Harris.
I read Terry Brooks' Sword of Shannara before I'd read much other fantasy, and I thought it was okay but didn't lik..."

ROFLMPO - Byron (the hubby) LOVES Terry Brooks and I think his books may GREAT kindling!

Point taken.

Attwood, could be that person, when I was younger and I received one of her books every Birthday I loathed to read her, but now skimming her work she just might be a writter I could get behind.

Depends on how bad the "bad" is for me. There are some fundamental stylistic issues that I don't expect a writer to change from one book or genre to another. (Interesting to know that Harris' Shakespeare novels aren't like her Sookies.) I think Brooks appeals to people who are die-hard High Fantasy fans (and I don't consider myself one of those).

I agree... I am not into all the mysticism that is part of Brooks' worlds.

I've also gone off Tanya Huff over the years. I liked her "Keeper's Chronicles"--I'm thinking now, mostly because of the characters. I tried her "Blood" books but thought they read like flimsy teleplays. Then I gave her one more chance with The Enchantment Emporium, and I couldn't stand it, didn't even finish it. No more of her for me!