Candi's Reviews > Parable of the Sower

Life is too short to read books you don't enjoy!

Good to know, Candi, since I had that one on my list but feel the same way about sci fi. More time for other great books!

True, better let it go and move on.

Fair enough, and good for you. There isn't enough time to read everything we want as it is.

Thank you, ladies! It felt good when I told myself I really didn't have to continue, lol!

Good decision, Candi. You are right, there are so many more books to read. <3

Thanks, Deanna :)

Good thing you abandoned this. Life is too short!

Jennifer wrote: "Good thing you abandoned this. Life is too short!"

So true, Jennifer!

This is an author I really want to read, so I'll be sure to not start with this one! Thanks for the heads-up Candi :)

Jean wrote: "This is an author I really want to read, so I'll be sure to not start with this one! Thanks for the heads-up Candi :)"

Maybe it was just me, Jean - plenty of others have enjoyed this book. But, if you do read this or another book by this author, I would love to hear your thoughts!

Sabah wrote: "I've just seen your rating and read this review, Candi, and have this on my tbr list but may well now not be in such a hurry to read this as YA really isn't my thing either. Thank you huns : )"

It's interesting, Sabah, because it is not a YA book, but it sure felt like it to me while I was reading it. And, I do occasionally enjoy YA, but there was something about this that I just couldn't connect with at all.

No sense continuing Candi. I don't blame you one bit. Hopefully the next one is better.

♪ Leslie (aka Basesloaded32) wrote: "No sense continuing Candi. I don't blame you one bit. Hopefully the next one is better."

Thanks, Leslie!

Yes thanks Candi - I will still give her a try, but need a "way in" and clearly this one isn't it!

Candi, so many books, so little time... You are SO right to let it go if you didn't like it. I do the same thing.

MrsRK wrote: "Candi, so many books, so little time... You are SO right to let it go if you didn't like it. I do the same thing."

Exactly, MrsRK! Thanks for commenting :)

I'm sorry, but I definitely disagree. The content of this book was groundbreaking when it was made, and I am quick to say that this book is not exactly young adult content. It heavily focused on the life of the poor, a cruel future built on capitalism, and subjects like abuse, rape, and drugs. Spencer puts the reader on edge the whole time through her storytelling and the danger of the outside world. I think you need to take this book back off the shelf.

Colton wrote: "I'm sorry, but I definitely disagree. The content of this book was groundbreaking when it was made, and I am quick to say that this book is not exactly young adult content. It heavily focused on th..."

Hi Colton. I'm glad that you found great value in this book. I know there are a lot of readers here that would agree with you. The book just did not appeal to me personally, which is why I abandoned it partway through. I rarely do this, but try to be fair in not giving it a rating if I feel it warranted more of a 'chance' before doing so. My list is long so I likely won't pick it up again, although I may in future try another by Octavia Butler. I have read one other book by her which I did enjoy.

Hope your next read is more engaging, Candi! Too many books out there and everyone can’t love the same ones all the time.

Antoinette wrote: "Hope your next read is more engaging, Candi! Too many books out there and everyone can’t love the same ones all the time."

Thanks, Antoinette. I actually read this one a couple of years ago but it just resurfaced on the news feed due to a comment. Yep, I've read some amazing ones since then!

This is exactly how I’m feeling right now. I’m at a similar place (35%), but this is just dragging for me and I have no interest in carrying forward. Since the beginning I felt like h was reading a YA novel and had actually checked on the genre because I was convinced it must be. I came into goodreads to see how others had rated it to try and convince myself one way or another (to continue or give it a rest). This is affirming for me. Thanks!

Amanda wrote: "This is exactly how I’m feeling right now. I’m at a similar place (35%), but this is just dragging for me and I have no interest in carrying forward. Since the beginning I felt like h was reading a..."

I wish I could say it improves, Amanda, but I couldn't stick around to find out! I'm sorry it's not working for you either.

Thank you. Too little time to read books for kids.

Tom LA wrote: "Thank you. Too little time to read books for kids."

I'm glad if I could help to make a decision as to whether or not this would work for you, Tom :)

Smart decision, Candi. Too many great ones out there waiting to be read.

Barbara wrote: "Smart decision, Candi. Too many great ones out there waiting to be read."

There really are so many books just begging to be read, Barbara! I have to spend my limited reading time quite carefully :)

Have to say I am feeling the same way with this novel. I find neither the characters captivating nor the plot. I'm just not connecting with story. It is the book of the month for my book club so I may just grab a summary online to attend our meeting but I'm feeling like it's time to move on.

Amy wrote: "Have to say I am feeling the same way with this novel. I find neither the characters captivating nor the plot. I'm just not connecting with story. It is the book of the month for my book club so I ..."

I'm sorry it's not working out for you either, Amy. I support your idea of grabbing the online summary! :D Then you can spend your time reading something you enjoy :)

Yet they took Lovecraft off the Lovecraft award and replaced him with Butler.... because her stuff was so... uhm. Great?

Lizz wrote: "Yet they took Lovecraft off the Lovecraft award and replaced him with Butler.... because her stuff was so... uhm. Great?"

I guess she has quite the following, Lizz. But she just doesn't suit me at all I guess. Sounds like you're not a fan either :D

Know that the first and second half of the book feel like different books! Different characters, different settings. But it sounds like this genre isn’t for you. I also don’t think it’s fair to rate a book you didn’t finish. I do think it is okay to abandon but that’s just my opinion about review and wonder if a lot of people leave reviews for books they didn’t even read half of

Ashley wrote: "Know that the first and second half of the book feel like different books! Different characters, different settings. But it sounds like this genre isn’t for you. I also don’t think it’s fair to rat..."

Sorry I didn't see this comment before, Ashley. I'm sorry I didn't make it to the second half to see if it would have improved for me. I know a lot of people love this book. I have read some science fiction and fantasy that have in fact dazzled me, so I like to give them a chance now and then. Since I didn't finish even half the book, I actually did not rate this one. I tend to leave some remarks but no star rating when I abandon a book. I don't want to skew the rating system.

I share your opinion of this, Candi. I did not abandon, but should have. It wasn't for me.

Agree!

Sara wrote: "I share your opinion of this, Candi. I did not abandon, but should have. It wasn't for me."

It was a lot easier for me to abandon as I was reading this one solo, Sara. I think maybe this would be something better aimed at my daughter, actually :)

Julie wrote: "Agree!"

Thanks, Julie! :)

Lol, I beat you by 4%. Super disappointed given the praise the book has gotten. Just can't go any further.