What’s a piece of SF that you just couldn’t get into, even though you feel like you should?

I tried to watch Babylon 5, for instance, and just couldn’t connect to it. I know it’s popular and people love it, but it never hooked me.

Another is The Three Body Problem. I tried reading it after a friend’s glowing recommendation, but I couldn’t get past the first chapter. I even tried reading it in another language in case it was the translation I couldn’t connect with, but the same thing happened.

Both are things I feel like I should like, but just don’t.

  • Durandal
    3•1 year ago

    Dune is one of my favorite series, but I can totally see why it would be jarring. Unfortunately there are a couple of major tonal shifts throughout the series. Heck… there’s a couple just in the first book. It is definitely a very dense read. Lots going on and a lot of moving parts to track. There’s even a glossary in the back to keep track of it with maps heh.

    It’s a really interesting universe. Herbert was really into philosophy and lead a really interesting life (his biography written by his son is an interesting read as well). It doesn’t get any less dense and layered unfortunately, if that is what is keeping you out of it.

    The Sci-fi mini-series was good and hit most of the major points pretty well, if you just can’t deal with the books themselves. It might bring you back with some renewed interest. The new movies are interesting as a fan, but don’t really tell the story fully, IMHO.

    • oo1
      1•1 year ago

      i did love dune, enjoyed the variety and dynamics; but i struggled with all the follow ups i think it just became more style, complexity and politics and there was not enough story left to drag me through it.
      (cf. War and Peace)

      • Durandal
        1•1 year ago

        I really enjoy the philosophical and psychological study of humanity through sci-fi, so I enjoyed that thread through the whole series. I’ve read far too much of it lol. But I totally get it when people have to tap out… it’s a dense series of books.

        I have the same reaction to Lord of the Rings. I love the story, but I can’t slog through reading the books. The peter jackson films were a god send for me.