I can’t remember where I first saw it (if you’re the creator, let me know!) but I love the idea of this book tag. Disclaimer that everyone is entitled to their own bookish thoughts and feelings and just because they’re wrong about these books, doesn’t mean we can’t be friends. 😉
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo

But how can this reviewer call the characters uninteresting? We literally have socialist anarchist artists living in squats in London in the 80s, which may be many things, but it certainly isn’t boring. That’s just one example amidst a huge cast of characters that span genders, sexualities, backgrounds and time frames.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

I confess I did laugh out loud at: ‘If chapter 14 is an example of how Brits flirt, I can’t believe their whole race isn’t already extinct.’ Then I went back and read chapter 14, and laughed again to see Rochester’s line ‘does my forehead not please you?’
I think this reviewer needs a bit of a history lesson, though. This is stuffy and staid Victorian times, and this chapter 14 dialogue is about as risqué as you’re going to get.
“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will, which I now exert to leave you.”
– favourite line from Jane Eyre
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

Did I read the same book as this reviewer? I am left scratching my head, wondering if I somehow missed a fifty shades esque romp couched in the language of a multi-generational family epic of love and loss in 20th century Korea.
The reviewer actually makes a fair point about getting attached to characters you then don’t see again, as the narrative jumps forward to the next generation. I don’t disagree that that was mildly dissatisfying at points. BUT – that is the only part of this review that is sensical to me.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

This did elicit a wry chuckle, perhaps ELaIC is pretentious – honestly, that’s never something that’s bothered me very much in and of itself, so I am the right market for this book.
I enjoyed how the scathing takedown of the book in paragraph two actually describes what I loved about the book – the charming wistfulness, the innovative prose, the playing around with traditional form.
Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney

I just want to preface this by saying I am no Sally Rooney stan. I enjoyed Normal People, didn’t love Conversations with Friends, so was intrigued by the hype around BWWAY but didn’t go into it with any real expectations.
But I do think it’s fascinating that she invokes such strong emotions in people. There is some real vitriol in the negative reviews for BWWAY. But I picked this one as I don’t actually disagree with it being self-indulgent, essentially plotless, with pretentious characters. I guess this is just a matter of to what to degree you enjoy and/or tolerate such literary tropes.
(P.S. – finishing out of spite is funny, though.)
Brilliant post, this is a great idea and really made me laugh! You write really well 😊 I love how you discuss girl woman other – I read it recently and it was incredible! I don’t know what they’re on about. It’s certainly interesting about the punctuation, but I totally agree that while some people don’t enjoy it, I thought it created a very unique and powerful voice. The characters were just beautiful and it inspired and educated me, and it sounds like it did to you too! Amma is the furthest thing from boring. Certainly one of my best books of the year. You can find my full rant on how much I loved it here 😆 https://hundredsandthousandsofbooks.blog/2022/08/23/books-that-changed-my-life-girl-woman-other-review/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh thank you so much! I’m glad you also enjoyed GWO, I still think about it and it’s been quite a long time since I read it. I will check out your review! The bad reviews are savage but do make me laugh sometimes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this💜 I’m definitely with you about Jane Eyre, though I listened to the book. Completely in tandem with the era on every level.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!! And right?! I don’t know what the reviewer was expecting, perhaps this was their first experience with Victorian fiction!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I very much enjoyed this post. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Joyce! I had fun writing it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That Pachinko review has me heated!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know right?! and also baffled!
LikeLike