Independent People

~ MaryG
Daily writing prompt
Have you ever regretted reading a book — which one and why?
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Once, for my Book Group, I selected a classic that was highly recommended by the author Ann Patchett on the Instagram account of her Nashville bookstore—Parnassus Books. The book is called Independent People by the Icelandic author Halldór Laxness. It was written a long time ago and considered a seminal work. It led to the author getting a Pulitzer Prize.

It was awful. Nobody in my book group made it through to the end, but I felt like I HAD to finish it, because I chose it.

I’ve mostly blocked it out, but let’s just say I know more about sheep and their various disgusting ailments than I ever wanted to and Iceland is permanently OFF my Bucket List. 😉

22 thoughts on “Independent People”

  1. I’m a voracious reader and will read just about any genre… but I’m constantly surprised at how many literary masterpieces and Pulitzer winners I dislike.
    Disgusting sheep ailments in Iceland?
    Hard pass.

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    1. And this one has appeared as a passing reference in at least two other books we’ve read (it was a Big Deal in the literary world)…but yeah: Not Recommended!

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  2. I know more about sheep and their various disgusting ailments than I ever wanted to” is such a perfect sentence 😂 There’s something almost heroic about finishing a book purely out of the guilt of having chosen it for the group.

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      1. My therapist loves her IG, and I have one of her own books in my Libby queue right now, but I’ll keep your experience in mind with her recommendations!

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      3. That’s the one in my queue! It will be my first of hers, though I’ve been familiar with her a long time.

        I’ve been listening to short books by Patrick Modiano, which seem to be the only ones avail through Libby.

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  6. I’m impressed you hung in there and finished it. I do that with terrible movies. Once I’ve invested close to an hour, I’ve got to see it through to the end. The major difference is I’m only giving up an extra hour. Finishing a terrible book can last forever!

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