Asking
Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

Do you quit a book/movie/tv series halfway if you don't like it?

Or do you soldier through and finish it?


I've read a lot of Neil Gaiman so I thought i would try Neverwhere. I'm having trouble getting into it and I'm not the type to soldier on.

Do you finish everything you start or have you given up? Try to warn people about spoilers if you're going to give any stories up.
Matt85 · 36-40, M
If I can't figure out the plot and the film is boring, I will usually quit.
I had this trouble with Possum.
dancingtongue · 80-89, M
I am a little slow to abandon something -- particularly if I am familiar and like the author, producer, director, actor, whatever -- but I only soldier on to the point I am certain it is not headed anywhere I am interested in. I tend to recall [i]Lolita[/i] -- the book by Nabokov, not the movie. I would have abandoned it very early on if it had not been required for a college course, and once I got to the midpoint everything began to come together and it became a real page-turner that I enjoyed the final half of the book.
I quit watching Orange Is the New Black, Breaking Bad and Weeds when graphic violence became the main focus of their series.
They all started out good, interesting and thought provoking but ultimately broke down to a mean storyline centered on pain, suffering and violence.
Typical of writers who lose focus and resort to sensationalism and shock value to carry the story
JovialMoose · 46-50, M
@Onestarlitnight I felt this same roller-coaster with Joe Abercrombie books. His first two books were gripping and (somewhat) tame. It didn't take him long to go all "Game of Thrones" with gratuitous violence, sex, and taboo.
ServantOfTheGoddess · 61-69, M
I feel no obligation to finish a tv series I don't enjoy or that seems to me like it has run its natural course.
Scribbles · 36-40, F
If I'm not feeling a film or tv show, I absolutely quit. But I rarely find any films or shows that I really like.

But I think I'm a bit more forgiving with books.

I'll skip ahead in a book, and sometimes that works. But yeah, quitting happens. I actually have two paperback books sitting abandoned on my coffee table for the past 6 months that I need to remember to take to a thrift store. Lol
SW-User
No, I'll give up. Life is too short to read/watch/play anything that I'm not enjoying.
CBarson · 51-55
I've never been able to get into Gaiman's (even though some of the literati that surround me insist his work belongs in their canon), but I have had a similar experience with Anne Rice. I think there was a gap of almost 3 years between The Witching Hour and Lasher, but I'm ultimately glad I finished the series.
JovialMoose · 46-50, M
@CBarson His books would be $1.99 (or cheaper) on the amazon kindle so I got into a few. American Gods was good. A little laborious at times but worth it.
JovialMoose · 46-50, M
I remember seeing those Anne Rice books long ago and forgot about them. I'll give it a try.
Book never but I've stopped watching a few movies half way through
PhilDeep · 51-55, M
Of course. Who has time to waste?
JovialMoose · 46-50, M
@PhilDeep I belong to the books sub on reddit and I'm amazed at the amount of people who say books were bad but they read them.
PhilDeep · 51-55, M
@JovialMoose Some people seem to think reading a book proves something about them, I don't know, snobbery perhaps? Why read a book as a chore?! Makes no sense to me. They even say "working on..." 🙃
JustNik · 51-55, F
I did Neverwhere as an audiobook read by the author. I really enjoyed it, particularly the bigger picture of it. I’m sorry to hear it’s not ringin your bell. I’ve never given up on a book, but I’ve no qualms about a show or a movie. I don’t know why it’s different for me with books. 🤷‍♀️
JovialMoose · 46-50, M
@JustNik it's ok... just slow.

It's funny that you haven't given up on anything yet. Maybe you do have the best of luck :-)
BigBulge · 41-45, M
I used to always force myself to finish reading a book that I didn't like very much, but, one time, I read part of a book, then I literally threw it in the trash, it was so bad. As for Neil Gaiman, most of his writing is brilliant, but some of it is not so hot.
JovialMoose · 46-50, M
@BigBulge I think the kindle has spoiled me a bit. I figure I can always come back to a book I give up on later (when desperate for something to read)
Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M
Oh yes.
I learned long ago that lauded books; movies; music etc. are often not worth the hype attributed to them.
And i don't care what that says to other people.

Life's too short to waste on things that don't entertain the imagination
SW-User
I always try to finish a book. I had to start some of my favourite books several times. Films I would watch to the end. I've stopped watching TV series half way through, several times.
exexec · 61-69, C
I have stopped reading a book or watching a movie several times when I wasn't getting anything from it. I may give the book a second chance, but not a movie.
JovialMoose · 46-50, M
@exexec I've given Dune two too many chances. That's the only book that I've given multiple chances.
wildbill83 · 36-40, M
yep, especially multiple season TV shows that started out good; then halfway through they ditch most of the main cast and start implementing woke/politically correct bullshit...
Yes. If a plot is poorly developed, my interest erodes as quick as its continuity. At some point you just know to get out.

Plenty of other choices to occupy your time.
NewRaven · 51-55, F
I won’t finish a book or movie that I either can’t get into it just don’t like. Life is too short to waste time like that.
I have given up on a book once or twice, but it has to be a real tedious slog for me to give up.
I liked Neverwhere.
JovialMoose · 46-50, M
@robingoodfellow I think I'm going to like it too... I'm just tired of the Richard characters.
Wynsome · 41-45, F
If it's not working for me i stop. If its just one aspect ie one actor or one story arc, I try to power through.
Thevy29 · 41-45, M
I'd give up but keep the book in case I want to pick it up again.
smileylovesgaming · 31-35, F
A movie has to be really bad for me to stop watching it.
darkmere1983 · 46-50, M
i tend to bail on a book if i'm not finding it of any interest.
I can’t..
Must have closure
JovialMoose · 46-50, M
@TheOneyouwerewarnedabout Has anything tempted you to quit?
@JovialMoose LOST.

what a bunch of unanswered nonsense that was :)
cherokeepatti · 61-69, F
Why waste time on it if you don’t like it?
JovialMoose · 46-50, M
@cherokeepatti I concur.
DearAmbellina2113 · 41-45, F
If I don't like it, I don't waste my own time finishing it.
I tend to finish a book .. less so a tv series or movie
Nitedoc · 51-55, M
I don't even give it that much time.
Iwillwait · M
I have no qualms with walking away.
Entwistle · 56-60, M
Yes I do. Life is too short.
Fluffybull · F
I give up if I'm not enjoying it. Life is too short to waste time on bad books/films/series.
Sometimes it'll be within the first few minutes or so.
JovialMoose · 46-50, M
@Nihiless Same.
Yes. Especially TV shows as I dont have the capacity to sit through them.
Azlotto · M
I soldiered through "Titanic" because my date wanted to see it.
This message was deleted by its author.
JovialMoose · 46-50, M
@stound I didn't know it was a TV series.

It's the book. I'm not finding it difficult. I'm just not enjoying the characters as much as his other books.
This message was deleted by its author.

 
Post Comment