My Despised High School Literature Authors

Many of the authors assigned by high school English teachers are memorable for their literary contributions, but not all are received cheerfully by students. In this article, we will explore the experiences of one individual who had to grapple with some challenging and less appreciated authors during their high school years.

Thomas Hardy: Intriguing yet Confusing

One of the authors I struggled with was Thomas Hardy. His work, particularly the novel “The Return of the Native,” left me feeling lost and frustrated. In school, I attempted to read it multiple times but found the plot too complex and convoluted. Ultimately, I resorted to reading Cliff’s Notes to ensure I could pass my exam.

For a long time, I felt guilty about skimming through the material rather than engaging with the full text. Years later, I even purchased a copy of the book and vowed to read it again. However, I was only able to make it halfway through the first chapter before becoming utterly confused. The book now sits unread on my bookshelf, a symbol of my past academic struggles.

Even during my second attempt, the need to read the book for an actual course remained out of reach. I decided to read everything else assigned but couldn't bring myself to tackle this particular author.

Francis Scott Fitzgerald: Disdain for The Great Gatsby

Another author whose work I found unfavorable was F. Scott Fitzgerald. While reading “The Great Gatsby” for the first time, I couldn't help but feel disillusioned by the lack of admirable characters. In comparison to The Grapes of Wrath, I perceived it as a shallow and decadent exploration of wealthy dilettantes. The focus on the minor issues faced by the characters seemed out of place.

Margaret Atwood: Boring and Insufferable

Margaret Atwood was another author whose works I found tedious and unengaging. It seemed like the English teacher always assigned her less appealing writings, while her more interesting works remained unexplored. Remembering the Canadian themes and lackluster past settings from the texts she assigned, I can only remember hating every minute of the experience.

A. S. Byatt: Backlash Against Misguided Assignments

While I didn’t despise many authors, there were instances where I harbored a significant amount of disdain for both an author and a professor. During a Victorian literature class in college, I had to read several works by A. S. Byatt, a modern author and academic. What fueled my contempt wasn't merely the quality of her writing but the misguided use of her pieces over authentic Victorian literature. The professor's over-hyped promotion of her work only exacerbated my frustration.

I felt that A. S. Byatt's work was better suited for a modern literature course, and my assignment was a college-level version of reading Cliff’s Notes. This experience left a bitter taste that extended beyond simple disappointment in a piece of literature.

In conclusion, while there were several authors and books that I found challenging during my high school years, the journey of reading and re-reading has helped me appreciate the diverse range of literary works. Each author mentioned here is a reminder of the multifaceted nature of literature and how personal reading experiences can vary greatly.