Friday, May 02, 2025

Finally Finished the Book I Was Reading


I did not like Mona Awad’s novel Bunny. It took me forever to read it because I had to force myself. Finally, I am done. Why did I read it? Because it’s recommended by Margaret Atwood, for whom I have enormous respect (you can see the blurb on the cover). I’ve read just about every book that Margaret Atwood ever wrote, and quite a bit of her poetry. This book is nothing like her work. But it’s not surprising — why would she like an author who was just like her? I don’t even want to try to review Bunny, which centers around a graduate writing program at a fictional university, and is a kind of endless hallucination in the deteriorating mind of a desperate victim of writer’s block, self-hatred, and suffering the contempt of the other women in the program. 

I do not agree with Margaret Atwood.

This is a real bunny (species: swamp rabbit) that we saw in Texas last week.
In Mona Awad’s book there are effectively no real bunnies of any species. Only hallucinations.

Blog post and bunny photo © 2025 mae sander

12 comments:

DVArtist said...

I commend you for reading a book that you were not into. Must be a reason for it. Have a great day.

Shiju Sugunan said...

Been there! Glad you made it to the end. Love the real bunny pic.

Iris Flavia said...

Recommendations or not... if I get disappointed I put it in the street or cell (that´s how we share books here).

eileeninmd said...

Thanks for the honest review! Love the cute bunny photo.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your critter post. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

Jeanie said...

I think I'd like your bunny better!

Breathtaking said...

Hello Mae :)
I don't think I would have the time and patience to read a book until the end if I wasn't enjoying it, but sometimes perseverance pays off. Not in this case however, for a start the title seems misleading. The real bunny is much better.
All the best
Sonjia

thecuecard said...

Sounds like an agonizing read. Sorry about that. I have heard of the book -- and does it have any humor or not really? Whatever it is - it didn't go over well.

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

I have stopped reading books that aren't working for me. I am sorry this one did not work for you. I wonder what Atwood enjoyed about it.

Literary Feline said...

It takes dedication to finish a book you aren't enjoying. I am Bunny didn't work for you. I am not sure I would have the patience you did with this one. I do love the photo of the bunny you shared though. :-)

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

It appears the photo of the real bunny got a better review than the book. I applaud you for finishing a book you obviously hated. I only do that for my book club required reading.

sillygirl said...

What specifically did you not like about the book. My book-friend said to ask. That way people can figure out if it would also bother them.

Helen's Book Blog said...

The beauty of art, music, and literature is that we don't have to agree. It doesn't make the book less worthy, just less worthy for us. I am impressed that you finished the book given that you didn't enjoy it.