Books I Loathed discussion

Did anyone else hate this book so much they couldn't finish it? Hated it!

I am SUCH a HUGE AS Byatt fan. I LOVED this book, it's so lyrical and beautiful! I refuse to see the movie.

It's a tough book to read, as Byatt is so scholarly, but if you think about it, she really does throw a lot in there and the parallel storyline is brilliant.

Sorry, I have to disagree!

I agree with Lisa. A friend of mine bought this for me and I felt guilty that I couldn't finish it. I found it really pretentious. This is another example of a book where the concept was great, but I couldn't get into it regardless.

My daughter lent me this book. I was surprised at how difficult it was. I gave up. I majored in English lit and "Possession" made me so glad I didn't go for an advanced degree and end up being some weird loser like the characters in this novel.

Lol, Byatt does have a pretty pretentious feel. I read Still Life about a year ago and it was...strange. Reminded me of all the art snobs in my open-enrollment public college art department...Interesting but not necessary. I can't say I dislike her books. But they are difficult to read for that reason.

This is a great book. Byatt's recreation of Romantic poetry is not only authentic, it is actually excellent poetry in and of itself.

A great and poignant story. Sorry to disagree.

It's funny this one popped up again. I recently read The Virgin in the Garden and loved it. The same story, retold with a few different perspectives. And better. More accessible I think. Now I need to find a copy of Possession. It's the one that makes all the "great literature" lists so I'm really curious now.

Opinions differ, that's what makes life interesting. Sorry to disagree with the o.p. on this particular volume; I thought it was an amazing tour-de-force.