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What’s a book that hasn’t aged well for you?( ie. a book you used to liked, but now after reading again and/ or looking back on it wasn’t that good.)
I found the answer to this pretty recently, as I pick up a random book to read before bed. It was the third book in the Ascendance Trilogy, The Shadow Throne, by Jennifer A. Neilson. The first time I read the series I was about 9 or 10 and when I read it I loved the series so much. Even reading the series again and again soon after reading it the first time.
Flash forward almost 10 years later to me picking it out of my closet today, I was kinda… um, very underwhelmed. I was shocked at how different the story was from reading it at 18 than 9.
The writing style, which I liked when I was younger, was very bland and blatant, lacking any depth, style, or sub-text. At first I was like, “well, I guess this is fine for a kid’s novel” but then I started reading Tom Sawyer soon after (a kid’s book) and that wasn’t the case for it at all. Despite also being a kid’s novel, Tom Sawyer was filled with sub-text and so much personality and style.
And the characters, who I used to love, were so much more generic and than I remembered. There was nothing special about them and a lot of their actions and reactions didn’t make sense. The character’s actions contradicted their past actions and beliefs for no reason which made the story feel disconnected and jarring.
I could go on and on about how The Shadow Throne was different than I remembered, but this is not a book review. So all this to say, I still don’t think The Shadow Throne is a bad book per se, just not as good as I once remembered.
Maybe it’s because I’m older, maybe it’s because I’ve just read better books, but either way it’s really interesting reading books you haven’t read in a while.
What about you? What’s a book that you used to like, but now not so much?
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I knew the answer to this question immediately. Mine would definitely, definitely be Anne of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery.
I wholeheartedly love Anne and L.M. Montgomery, but… the sixth installment in the series aged terribly for me. It’s one of the books you read and love when you’re younger, but when you reread it when you’re older, you get an entirely new perspective on what the book is really like.
The biggest problem I have with this book? Anne and Gilbert’s marital problem that takes up all the final chapters of the book. That storyline was completely thrown in and makes no sense at all. I could go on and on about it, but I don’t know if you’ve read the book, and if not, you probably won’t understand much of what I’m talking about, lol. But I’ll just go ahead and list just a few of the reasons that entire storyline bothers me so much now.
It bothered me because Anne should have just gone to Gilbert, communicated with him about how she felt, and been honest with him. For some unknown reason she won’t even speak to him about the problem. This is very odd because throughout the novel until these last few chapters, it seemed as if Anne and Gilbert had a very happy and healthy marriage and communicated extremely well. It just doesn’t make sense that they would stop communicating. And it astounds me that Gilbert thought he told Anne about what he was going through at work, when he didn’t mention it to her at all!
It bothered me because of the extremely silly reason for ignoring their anniversary. Gilbert hopes Anne has forgotten it because his gift for her didn’t arrive in time, and Anne, out of spite because she thinks he has forgotten it, pretends she really has forgotten.
It bothered me because of Anne’s beliefs that she was the “second choice”, that Gilbert had really loved Christine all these years, that he was flirting with her at the dinner (which, honestly, it did kind of seem as if he was, although he lightly explains it away later), and that he was being unfaithful to her. It’s just all so ridiculous. Gilbert’s actions make no sense – ignoring his anniversary and going to the dinner, making comments to Christine that did seem like flirting, giving her his arm at the dinner while leaving Anne alone – and then how he explains it away later and everything ends happy… it’s so unconvincing and so odd. Anne’s actions don’t make any more sense than his.
It bothered me that the happy ending was so quick and so unconvincing. You don’t just go from believing your husband loves another woman to accepting his dismissing explanations and being perfectly happy. No. It doesn’t work that way.
The other problems I had with the book is that most of the stories about Anne’s children are simply ridiculous, ludicrous, and downright aggravating. What happened to the stories about bosom friendships, about helping one another and encouraging one another, about being kind to one another, about joyful occasions and fun adventures? These stories aren’t like that, and they don’t give off feel-good vibes like previous Anne books. Instead, they seemed cynical and depressing. The stories that weren’t about the children felt flat and empty, as well. Overall, just not the L.M. Montgomery heart and warmth we know and love.
When I first read the book at eight years old, the happy ending to the marital problem seemed totally realistic, and I was totally happy with it, not seeing anything wrong with it at all. Likewise, the storylines with the children were fun for me to read at that age. But now, at sixteen, I see the marital problem itself and especially its conclusion, just so unsatisfying, unrealistic, and plain infuriating; and the stories with the children equally frustrate me.
Oh my. I had said I wasn’t going to write so much – I’m sorry this turned out so long! Kudos to you if you read all the way here.
Oof, yea, so to tell the truth, I’m usually blinded by childhood nostalgia when I read books that I had read a while ago.
But recently, my sis and I picked up some old and beloved books, and read them again. Just a small series of short stories, novellas, I think. And boy were they predictable. I was informed abt the ending (cuz I had read it before) but the plot of the first book was centered around one big obvious decision a character had to make, and from the start, you could easily see straight through to the end. There were some other flaws, like distinguishing one character from another, and the underdeveloped writing style, two big mistakes.
That was kinda harsh. So yea, I was a lil disappointed.
@joy-caroline
Oh, is that like a sequel to Anne of Green Gables?
Somewhat random fact: a woman in my mother’s Sunday School group believes heartily that L. M. Montgomery married Gilbert and Anne because that’s how she wanted Jo and Laurie to end up in Little Women by L. M. Alcott. It makes perfect sense tho. Anne and Gilbert are (at least in my eyes) very similar to Jo and Laurie.That theory made me laugh, anyway.
@kathleenramm Ever since I started writing I read much less, and I don’t reread books I read long ago anymore, plus I think we gave a lot of them away. On the rare occasion that I remembered I loved one book as a kid and I would reread it, I usually found it more hilarious than before.
There was one trilogy I really loved called School For Good and Evil; I really enjoyed it when I was younger and reread it occasionally but after reading the sequel trilogy as an older person I think I realised a lot of stuff that was pushed in the first trilogy wasn’t really godly or good. I mean, it wasn’t as bad as the second trilogy, and don’t get me wrong, the first book still slaps hard. But there are a lot of flaws and ideals with it that I didn’t really get when I was younger.
Lately, it's been on my brain
Would you mind letting me know
If hours don't turn into daysI get what you mean about stories; i reread stories my younger siblings currently are reading and was like “I used to like that… what happened?”
ok, I’ll say it. *winces
Chronicles of Narnia. I know it is probably shocking, but let me explain.
I loved reading Narnia as a child, but as I grew up a little the cacophonous mashing of cultures and mythology and eras makes me absolutely cringe with irritation. I’m a history nerd, and all of it completely goes against everything in my mind for some reason. Satyrs and minotaurs and talking animals and goblins and dwarves and knights and magic rings and witches and fairies and nymphs and nayads… it just doesn’t settle with me.
This is why I like Tolkien’s style of writing; he uses old and recycles it and shakes it up to be new so that although if you knew the works inspiring it you could allude to the mythology and legends its based upon, they are different.
I don’t know if that makes sense. XD
I'm 'a homeschooler' because cookie-making writing artistic animal-whisperer isn't a job title
I honestly can’t think of any examples; I’ve always been particular with my books. As in really particular. When I was 9-ish I stopped reading a book because it used the word stupid twice, something we’re not allowed to say in our house. I’m almost certain my 9-year-old self thought it was as bad as a cuss word.
I do that with movies sometimes (especially Disney movies. Seriously, have you ever stopped to think about just how goofy Snow White is? You never think about that as a kid), but not really with books. But I totally agree with you about The Ascendance Trilogy. I know a lot of people around here love that series, but it wasn’t my favorite. At all. Yeah, underwhelmed is a good way to put it.
@joy-caroline
Despite not having read Ingleside (I have only read the first Anne of Green Gables book) I thoroughly related to your frustrations in your post.
One of my pet peeves in books are characters who makes dumb decisions simply for plot convenience. Don’t get me wrong, I’m totally fine with characters who make mistakes, but the mistakes have to make sense within the context of the situation and the character themselves and their specific flaws.
It can be so frustrating, like in the case of Anne’s martial problems, when characters make decisions no human in the right mind would make in that situation. It really takes you out of the story.
Anyway, speaking of Anne of Green Gables, do you have a favorite book in the series?
Yeah, stories where you know the ending by reading the beginning can be… tiring, to say the least, haha. Now a days, when I start reading a book like that, I kinda just give up on it lol. I mean like, if you can predict pretty much the entire book and it doesn’t look promising then what’s the point?
Haha, the same thing happens to me with kid’s shows I used to watch when I was younger. Sometimes, for the lols, a couple of my siblings and I will put on an old tv show we used to watch when we were little, like Ninjago or The Backyardigans or something like that, and we’ll burst out laughing every two seconds. Mostly because of how ridiculous it is, but sometimes an actually pretty good joke will surprise us.
But as for what you said about School For Good and Evil. I can really get that. There are so many things you don’t pick up on when you are younger, that only really sinks in when you are older. That’s what makes reading past books you haven’t read in awhile so interesting, or scary even, as you don’t want to taint your special memories you had with that particular book/movie.
That’s kinda funny, because that’s the same opinion Tolkien had on Lewis’s work! Tolkien also didn’t like The Chronicles of Narnia very much because the mythology didn’t make sense.
Although I love The Chronicles of Narnia, I get why it wouldn’t settle right for some people. It does do a lot of crazy things with mythology that might make the story a bit jarring. Like, even Santa Clause is in the mythology! XD
But while the crazy mix of different mythologies is one of it’s downfalls, it interesting how it’s also one of Narnia’s special strengths that makes it so unique and magical.
And I though I was particular with books. I think your nine-year-old self just one upped me, haha.
And yeah, back to The Ascendance Trilogy, I think the main thing it lacked was creativity and character development. I think the first book and it’s premise had a lot of potential, but without truly taking advantage of that premise and it’s characters, it just kinda fell flat.
@kathleenramm hahaha just remembered that XD very true.
When it changed for me was when I really started reading on mythology and history, then seeing how different the cultures are and the myths and legends of each, so it was very jarring to have it all thrown in a world at the same time. I love the humor of his stories and he had an amazing imagination to be able to blend those all together.
You’re absolutely right; that mix does make it the magical wonderful world of Narnia, and I loved it for the longest time. Growing up I guess I leaned more toward LoTR, because it’s just my preference. I had equal exposure to both stories, but the originality of Middle-earth drew me in more. From the moment I opened the Hobbit it began shaping my imagination and world more than any other book I’ve laid eyes on.
The one book of the series I still enjoy is Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Mostly because of Eustace and Reepicheep and their friendship and Eustace’s transformation and forgiveness. And the Dufflepuds. I love those Dufflepuds XD
I'm 'a homeschooler' because cookie-making writing artistic animal-whisperer isn't a job title
Ah, yeah, learning more about mythology and history can really change your perspective on things.
And as much as I like Narnia, I always lean towards Tolkien as well. I love his worldbuilding and writing style, and yeah like you said his originality when it comes to both mythology and story. So many people have tried to replicate it, but have always fallen short. His writing is really one of a kind with how immersive, magical, and unique it is.
Voyage of the Dawn Treader is so good. The exploration of different lands was really cool, but yeah, Eustace and Reepicheep were definitely took the spotlight. Probably my favorite book from the Chronicles of Narnia is The Horse and His Boy. I really like the tone and setting of that book. I also like the premise of a boy and a horse traveling alone in a desolate land.
However, it has been a while since I’ve read Narnia, so maybe my favorite will be different when I read them again. XD
I honestly don’t reread very many books if I do it’s because I was REALLY into the books. Those books would be Medallion, Captive Treasure and Pride and Prejudice. And these 5 series: the Chronicles of Narnia, the Hobbit and LOTR, Daughters of the Seven Seas, The River of Time, and Viking Quest. Each of these just gets better and I get more of both the depth and the humor even more each time I’ve reread these books
Robinhood, however, is a storyline that while I never read the exact same version twice I really enjoyed when I was younger and read several different versions of it. I read another rendition of it recently and didn’t really enjoy it at all. I mean the whole premise is about a glorified thief. It really bothers me how Robin Hood’s stealing is always somehow justified by the fact that he’s helping the poor of Nottingham. Stealing is stealing. It’s always wrong no matter what someone’s cause is.
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." - Gandalf
Ok, let’s see…
The American Girl Stories: they were meant for a young audience, and I see them as such. I still like them, they’re just….
Little One, Maid of Israel: Biblical fiction taken flight. Sweet story, not satisfied with the ending.
But honestly, it’s been a while since I reread anything beyond classics like Northanger Abbey and The Light Princess, which never disappoint.
That’s funny. The mashing of eras, cultures, and mythology never bothered me. While I am a history nerd too, if it’s taken to the extreme like in Narnia, it doesn’t faze me. That may be because I wasn’t into history till a few years ago, but I was raised in the Wood Between the Worlds. Now if it’s set in our world…oh dear.
@joy-caroline
I practically skim read that one, but I can totally agree. The marital issues didn’t make sense to me, so I took C. S. Lewis’ advice and skipped. 😉 Have you read Rilla of Ingleside? Of all her Anne books, I like that one the best. Or Rainbow Valley, because those manse kids are such lovably awful innocent troublemakers.
@anatra23 there are multitudes of things I will always like for nostalgia’s sake. Take watching Fort Apache at midnight, that sort of thing.You have listened to fears, child. Come, let me breathe on you... Are you brave again? -Aslan
*rereads post, and finds I lied. Eeeeeps*
I was ALWAYS into history, (we were given history books to read as story books)it was just a few years ago that I got into historical accuracy.
You have listened to fears, child. Come, let me breathe on you... Are you brave again? -Aslan
@kathleenramm it has to be the Elsie Densmore series.
For those of you who haven’t read it, it’s basically about this little orphan girl who is staying with her wealthy Southern grandparents in the 1800s. The girl is a Christian… or at least, the most perfect representation of legalistic Christianity I’ve ever seen. This girl refused to play the piano on Sunday in one of the books because that was “work.” She was the epitome of Mary Sue… and I’m going to be honest, if that was the only basis of Christianity I had I would not want to be a Christian. All the other characters sinned (one of her cousins actually, like… pushed her off a cliff or something? I can’t exactly remember, but she was just like “Ah yeah I forgive him” and moved on? It was so strange.) The whole thing has weird “earn your way to heaven by obeying all of the rules” vibes and… yeah. I get that she was supposed to be a good example for people reading the book, but it just came off as pretentious and unrealistic. For a little girl who already struggled with basing her worth on how “good” she was, I should not have read that series and it did more harm than good.
Actually, realizing how awful that series was has made me more passionate about writing good Christian literature. We need real characters. Broken characters. Characters who are hurting and imperfect like all of us are. And we need to see them struggle with their relationship with God and grow closer to Him and be confused and then learn and have their faith deepened. So yeah.
The pen is mightier than the sword, but in a duel, I'm taking the sword.
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