10 Immensely Popular Authors Who I do not enjoy reading!

The title of this article should be self-explanatory. I’ve always been amazed how the world views on an author can differ so vastly from your own personal views. On the one hand, these authors are world renowned and their works are appreciated globally by a majority of the world population, yet I find it difficult to enjoy their writings for multiple reasons.

1. Shakespeare: He’s the prima donna among writers across all centuries. However, the last time I tried reading him was Othello after Omkara was released  and did not manage to make much headway.

2. Stephen King: This one is strange. I should actually like his books but for some strange reason it doesn’t work for me!

3. Jack Higgins:  I find his writing too cliched, including his most famous work “The Eagle has Landed“. In Jack Higgins’ novel, The Iron Tiger, they speak about “The Hour of the Dove, the time for lovers to unburden their hearts to each other.”

4. John Le Carre:  Author of many novels, including his latest ” A Delicate Truth“, I find his writing very slow and pondering and lose interest midway through the books.

5. VS Naipaul: An author of Indian origins, I have read most of his books, but, did not enjoy any. I get the feeling that there is a personal bias in my head that makes me not like him and thus his books.

6. Clive Cussler: Clive Cussler began writing novels in 1965 and published his first work featuring his continuous series hero, Dirk Pitt®, in 1973. Cussler’s books have been published in more than 40 languages in more than 100 countries. However, Dirk Pitt does not cut if for me, specially the comical exchanges that he has with his sidekick.

7. David Baldacci: David is the international bestselling author of 26 novels. His novels are published in over 45 languages in more than 80 countries. Hi latest novel The Innocent is now in the top 20 best selling books of 2013! I am still confused as to why all his books are bestsellers – he makes even the most exciting story premise mundane with his writing.

8. Sue Grafton:  Sue Grafton’s ALPHABET SERIES,is  the A-Z chronological series following private investigator Kinsey Millhone.  Sue Grafton entered the mystery field in 1982 with the publication of ‘A’ Is for Alibi, which introduced female hard-boiled private investigator, Kinsey Millhone, operating out of the fictional town of Santa Teresa, (aka Santa Barbara) California. I did not get beyond A in her alphabetical mystery series which is currently at the alphabet U.

9. Robin Cook: Ever since his debut as a medical thriller writer more than 30 years ago, Robin Cook, M.D., has used everything from organ transplants to alien viruses as the subject of his novels. In his latest, “Nano,” he tackles nanotechnology.  I’ve never found any one interesting or even thrilling to read. The plots and twists are so predictable and put me to sleep.

10. Ian Fleming: His first novel, Casino Royale turned 60 in April this year! Ian Fleming’s first James Bond novel introduced the English spy to the world and the movies made history. I would rather see the movies which have nothing to do with the books, because the film makers also realized that just borrowing the character names, title of the book was enough, story and writing style – baaah!

So which authors are your Achilles heel? Do leave your comments and we can discuss the merits :-D!!

About the Author: Ashwini Mathur is a resident of Hyderabad. In the past he has worked at GSK Pharmaceuticals as a Senior General Manager and at Novartis after that. He has a Master’s degree in Mathematics from IIT Delhi, a PhD in bio-statistics from University and College Berkeley, California and an executive MBA from IIM Bangalore.