The Worst Book You've Ever Read?

[stlukesguild]

Is character development an essential element of all works of literature? I would think that's rather like criticizing Van Gogh's Starry Night for its appalling lack of red.

[Pompey Bum]

I found The Road's negative anthropology believable and disturbing, and its insistence on morality as a choice rather than a circumstance enormously relevant and deeply moving. I wouldn't describe its lack of character development as appalling; in fact, I don't even see it as a flaw in what is at heart a parable. The father and the boy are constants to one another. The world changes but humankind does not. Nor do they.

There is a discussion of The Road (and a number of McCarthy's other novels) on this thread:

http://www.online-literature.com/for...t=New+classics

Feel free (if you like) to join in.

[Ms. Reading]

i've had my share of bad books over the years but i'd say that my worst for 2014 was Kafka on the Shore

[SJR90]

Is character development an essential element of all works of literature? I would think that's rather like criticizing Van Gogh's Starry Night for its appalling lack of red.

If you're replying to my comment, I'm just stating my opinion. Character development, most times, is a pretty essential part to make a great book, but again, that's just my opinion.