Cecelia Ahern - hack, PS, I hate you, you suck

Alicesilver · 24-01-2009 9:16pm #1

I'm so sick and tired of people praising the rubbish Cecelia supposedly writes (lets face, there is no proof she writes any of those books, her name alone would sell the dribble, plus how many writers with excellent material cant even get a publisher to look at it?) Compare her college articles (you can find then on the net) with the writing style in her 'novels'. Not the same style, smacks of ghost writing. And if she has supposedly improved in the mean time, there would at least be a glimmer of talent in those snippets. Nada folks. It is substandard trash. I'm sure there is a certain demograph or those who have graduated from Read It Yourself series that her books may appeal to. Lets face it, she was spawned by one of greatest liars this country has ever seen, a man who ran the country into the ground and has the neck and gall to pen his own memoirs in a lucrative publishing deal. Looks like the Ahern's have neck for anything. The standard of literature has taken a huge nose dive. Even Amanda Brunker is published . . . what next, Paris Hilton gets a Nobel Prize for physics for her work in One Night In Paris? As for Cecelia being involved in the Samantha Who TV series, what was her contribution? 'lets do a show about a girl with blonde hair'?

Tight Ted · 24-01-2009 9:19pm

I'm sorry, but I think this sounds an awful lot like soar grapes.

crotalus667 · 24-01-2009 9:30pm

Tight Ted wrote: »

I'm sorry, but I think this sounds an awful lot like soar grapes.

I think that may be the under statement of the year :rolleyes:

deadhead13 · 24-01-2009 9:39pm

Never read any of her books and don't intend to, but I don't think anybody doubts that she wrote them. Yes, being Berties daughter opened doors, but that on its own wouldn't have been enough to make her as successful as she is.

Ave Sodalis · 24-01-2009 9:49pm

I like her book and really don't think standard of literature has taken a nose dive at all. Also is there any proof that most writers wrote their books? That was a bit harsh.

Acacia · 24-01-2009 9:56pm

I wouldn't be the biggest 'chick lit' fan, but sure, traditionally, novels were seen as 'intellectually inferior' and aimed at women, just like a lot of 'chick lit' is today. I actually say 'fair play' to Cecelia for making her own career instead of riding off her dad's coat-tails. Tbh, I find WAG's autobiographies much more annoying. When I see Colleen Rooney's book I always think, "Man, some great writer out there might be struggling to get a book deal and they publish this crap!"

raah! · 24-01-2009 10:43pm

That was a funny title. Although I have no feelings regarding Cecelia Ahern.

Permabear · 24-01-2009 11:11pm

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25-01-2009 1:41am

Tight Ted wrote: »

I'm sorry, but I think this sounds an awful lot like soar grapes.

Typically Irish response. All criticism, no matter the reasons, is begrudgery. The Ahern I've read rarely gets beyond Junior Cery. level.

Fad · 25-01-2009 4:01pm

994 wrote: »

Typically Irish response. All criticism, no matter the reasons, is begrudgery. The Ahern I've read rarely gets beyond Junior Cery. level.

Just because it's a typical response, doesnt mean it's rendered invalid:pac:

chenguin · 25-01-2009 5:56pm

I don't think that anyone has said that PS I love you is of a great literature standard. But not everyone wants to read books that are. Some times all you want to do is read a book where you dont have to think too much. I think we only have to look at the huge success of The Da Vinci Code to see that.

And if you are questioning if she wrote her books. Where is the proof that she actually wrote those college articles?

CDfm · 25-01-2009 7:57pm

Its a genre that she writes.

I dont like James Joyces books or the genre he writes is appealing.

I dont like Cecilia Aherns writing either or its genre.

Fad · 25-01-2009 8:55pm

Wait, did th OP just register to rant about Cecilia Ahern?

Odd

Permabear · 26-01-2009 12:25am

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shqipshume · 26-01-2009 12:27am

I read it :)wasnt my cup of tea but was not bad.
What really peeved me was the lack of Irish people and the change over to her been American ncncnc:(

CDfm · 26-01-2009 12:28am

donegalfella wrote: »

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for once i agree with you Shakespeare is awful and should be dropped from the Junior Cert.

Sleipnir · 26-01-2009 12:30am

There's no accounting for taste I suppose.

So long as people enjoy reading rubbish, people will write rubbish for them.

CDfm · 26-01-2009 12:38am

Sleipnir wrote: »

There's no accounting for taste I suppose.

So long as people enjoy reading rubbish, people will write rubbish for them.

dont you think an adult has the right to decide what they like?

yuck -each to their own but dont force your taste on people

Sleipnir · 26-01-2009 12:45am

CDfm wrote: »

dont you think an adult has the right to decide what they like?

yuck -each to their own but dont force your taste on people

I'm pretty sure that's what I said? I don't think my post contained anything on my own taste in literature so I don't see how I could possibly be forcing anything on anyone.

It's trashy but people like trash. Hello, Okay!, take a break, etc etc.

CDfm · 26-01-2009 12:57am

Sleipnir wrote: »

I'm pretty sure that's what I said? I don't think my post contained anything on my own taste in literature so I don't see how I could possibly be forcing anything on anyone.

It's trashy but people like trash. Hello, Okay!, take a break, etc etc.

by taste i thought you implied shakespeare was better.

sorry if i misread

Permabear · 26-01-2009 1:21am

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CDfm · 26-01-2009 7:44am

donegalfella wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Yes, but I live in hope:D

Sleipnir · 26-01-2009 9:48am

CDfm wrote: »

by taste i thought you implied shakespeare was better.

sorry if i misread

Lawdy mamma no, Hamlet hasn't a patch on P.S. I Love You.

It's my eternal wish that leaving cert students are studying it instead of Hamlet for hundreds of years to come.

:rolleyes:

Setun · 26-01-2009 10:45am

Tight Ted wrote: »

I'm sorry, but I think this sounds an awful lot like soar grapes.

The OP is Enda Kenny?

Dades · 26-01-2009 12:25pm

Alicesilver wrote: »

The standard of literature has taken a huge nose dive. Even Amanda Brunker is published . . .

How many books have you written, OP?

CDfm · 26-01-2009 1:35pm

Sleipnir wrote: »

Lawdy mamma no, Hamlet hasn't a patch on P.S. I Love You.

It's my eternal wish that leaving cert students are studying it instead of Hamlet for hundreds of years to come.

:rolleyes:

I agree with everything except the roll eyes

English as taught in Irish schools is top heavy in literature and as a book at least PS I love you has a structure and is written in a direct and readable and accessable style.

So while Shakespeare has its place - it is given an importance in English literature almost to the exclusion of everything else.

It is fine if it is to your taste or as a period piece- but otherwise -ugh.

Permabear · 26-01-2009 1:55pm

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Acacia · 26-01-2009 2:29pm

donegalfella wrote: »

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I agree. I can't say I absolutely loved reading Shakespeare in school (and even more in college), but I recognize the importance of his plays in English literature.

And students have to try and deal with more difficult texts than 'P.S. I Love You'. If you don't challenge them mentally then they won't develop.

That's like saying maths students shouldn't be forced to deal with algebra because it's just too difficult and boring and takes up too much time- they should stick with their multiplication tables and '2+2' sums - they'll enjoy that a lot more.

Eoin · 26-01-2009 2:35pm

Dades wrote: »

How many books have you written, OP?

I'm sorry, but I don't think that's relevant. I've never made a film, written a book or designed a car, but I'd like to think I'm still allowed have an opinion on any of those things even if they're not complimentary.

girlbiker · 26-01-2009 3:15pm

I hate to admit to reading Chic Lit(and try not to) but I read loads of books and I'd say 20% of the books I read are chic lit, I specifically read chic lit to read when I'm on the bus and eating lunch simply because there is not much concentration required and normally keep me amused for a while ..........I dont really enjoy them alot of the time but still keep reaching for the pastel coloured books when I want to slob around and read something that requires no brain power...

I'm sure thats indicitave of some terrible pyscholoigical problem I have..........hmmmm

Dades · 26-01-2009 3:24pm

eoin wrote: »

I'm sorry, but I don't think that's relevant. I've never made a film, written a book or designed a car, but I'd like to think I'm still allowed have an opinion on any of those things even if they're not complimentary.

There's a difference between having an opinion and launching a spittle-flecked one-man campaign to discredit an author.

Besides, anyone can write. It's free - you don't need money, equipment or a degree in engineering. So in that way people are in a real position to lift the literary standard if they fit.

IMO, even writing a crap book is an achievement.

Eoin · 26-01-2009 3:31pm

Dades wrote: »

There's a difference between having an opinion and launching a spittle-flecked one-man campaign to discredit an author.

Fair enough. I'm by no means a snob, especially as my reading is rarely particularly intellectual - but slagging off chick lit for not being highbrow does seem a bit silly.

Dades wrote: »

Besides, anyone can write. It's free - you don't need money, equipment or a degree in engineering. So in that way people are in a real position to lift the literary standard if they fit.

IMO, even writing a crap book is an achievement.

It's not a cost thing for me. I just wouldn't be able to write a book; I don't have the talent.

But I enjoy reading, and if I come across a popular book that I think is terribly written (e.g. anything from Dan Browne), I will still say so.

Elmo · 26-01-2009 3:32pm

994 wrote: »

Typically Irish response. All criticism, no matter the reasons, is begrudgery. The Ahern I've read rarely gets beyond Junior Cery. level.

The OP is being a total begruger TBH. You can be critical but the OP seems to take the book far to seriously and seems to hate Cecelia Ahern for no real reason. The book and her subsequent books have all been critically trashed.

Dan Brown is another hack, but I don't hate him.

Example of critism for her TV show "Samatha Who?"

From Variety

raises existential questions of whether Sam can redeem herself, but a more immediate concern will be staving off cancellation, since by the end of the second episode the thought of memory erasure doesn’t sound bad.

Permabear · 26-01-2009 3:37pm

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jobucks · 26-01-2009 3:55pm

Alicesilver wrote: »

I'm so sick and tired of people praising the rubbish Cecelia supposedly writes (lets face, there is no proof she writes any of those books, her name alone would sell the dribble, plus how many writers with excellent material cant even get a publisher to look at it?) Compare her college articles (you can find then on the net) with the writing style in her 'novels'. Not the same style, smacks of ghost writing. And if she has supposedly improved in the mean time, there would at least be a glimmer of talent in those snippets. Nada folks. It is substandard trash. I'm sure there is a certain demograph or those who have graduated from Read It Yourself series that her books may appeal to. Lets face it, she was spawned by one of greatest liars this country has ever seen, a man who ran the country into the ground and has the neck and gall to pen his own memoirs in a lucrative publishing deal. Looks like the Ahern's have neck for anything. The standard of literature has taken a huge nose dive. Even Amanda Brunker is published . . . what next, Paris Hilton gets a Nobel Prize for physics for her work in One Night In Paris? As for Cecelia being involved in the Samantha Who TV series, what was her contribution? 'lets do a show about a girl with blonde hair'?

As an avid reader, and I mean avid. I don't mind admitting that I find Cecilia Aherns books quite refreshing. I'll read anything from Pulitzer prize winners, bookers shortlisted, Historical, Biographical, and anything else that takes my fancy at the time. The reason for this being, depending on my mood the type of book I read changes, I like the odd bit of "chick-lit" and if I had to pick the best out of them then I would probably put Cecilia Ahern at the top of the list... it does exactly what it says on the tin... for fans of that genre you can't get much better. Its escapism and its great for holiday reading or a Sunday afternoon when its lashing outside and your p*ssed off with life for one reason or another. It doesn't claim to be a prize winning read, but what it does claim it delivers, and I for one applaud her. Cut her some slack I say:p

Thomas_S_Hunterson · 26-01-2009 4:05pm

Her books aren't intended to be of academic value or even remotely intellectual. They are a consumer product. I think she should be viewed more as an entrepreneur than as a literary figure.

CDfm wrote:

I agree with everything except the roll eyes

English as taught in Irish schools is top heavy in literature and as a book at least PS I love you has a structure and is written in a direct and readable and accessable style.

So while Shakespeare has its place - it is given an importance in English literature almost to the exclusion of everything else.

It is fine if it is to your taste or as a period piece- but otherwise -ugh.

Can you honestly say you would rather your children were forced to read mind-numbing drivel?

Regardless, the classroom is a place of academic learning and as such airport chick-lit has no place there.

Elmo · 26-01-2009 4:08pm

I haven't read the book but I hear it is filled with spelling errors.

Dades · 26-01-2009 4:08pm

donegalfella wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

I think you kinda missed the point. Of course not everyone can write well, but anyone can physically type, write, or narrate a book. Therefore there are no barriers to those who complain about the lack of literary quality from reacting in the most effective manner.

Permabear · 26-01-2009 4:12pm

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Thomas_S_Hunterson · 26-01-2009 4:14pm

donegalfella wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

There's always the vanity press if you just have to be heard.

CDfm · 26-01-2009 7:51pm

Sean_K wrote: »

Can you honestly say you would rather your children were forced to read mind-numbing drivel?

Regardless, the classroom is a place of academic learning and as such airport chick-lit has no place there.

I can appreciate Shakespeare and have read it but I dont have to like it. I have also read Joyce, Beckett and other giants of literature.

My present favourite is Andy McNab but 20 years ago Camus and Brecht were more my style.

I can say Im not a chicklit fan but she rates higher than the Bronte Sisters IMO.

As an Irish actor I rate Pat Shortt higher then Michael McLiammoir and more accessable. Fr Ted as greater TV then Waiting for Godot. Marilyn Monroe outrates Siobhain McKenna and Tom and Jerry the whole of Orson Wells output Citizen Kane included.

The thing about literature is taste and you either like it or you dont. In Ireland adult literacy is just 75%.So I would split up English from english lit and have them taught by seperate teachers in the schools -even treat them as different subjects.

In Irish schools we teach our kids a hatred of Shakespeare that stays with them for life. I learned a love of Canterbury Tales from a New Vic Production and still love Chaucer. Take the literary snob out of any of us and we still want to be entertained.

Permabear · 26-01-2009 8:27pm

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Elmo · 26-01-2009 10:25pm

CDfm wrote: »

As an Irish actor I rate Pat Shortt higher then Michael McLiammoir and more accessable. Fr Ted as greater TV then Waiting for Godot. Marilyn Monroe outrates Siobhain McKenna and Tom and Jerry the whole of Orson Wells output Citizen Kane included.

Sorry while I like Pat Shortt, Fr. Ted and Tom and Jerry. You cann't compare them to the magic the magic that is Citizen Kane. I will be elitist on somethings and this is it.

But yes Marilyn Monroe over Siobhain McKenna anyday

26-01-2009 10:57pm

donegalfella wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

I meant the sort of essay a JC student would submit.

Latchy · 26-01-2009 11:03pm

Alicesilver wrote: »

Lets face it, she was spawned by one of greatest liars this country has ever seen, a man who ran the country into the ground and has the neck and gall to pen his own memoirs in a lucrative publishing deal.

You could be talking about CJ haughey except he as far as I'm aware , never wrote his ( final) memoris .

Dr Bolouswki · 26-01-2009 11:15pm

CDfm wrote: »

I can appreciate Shakespeare and have read it but I dont have to like it. I have also read Joyce, Beckett and other giants of literature.

My present favourite is Andy McNab but 20 years ago Camus and Brecht were more my style.

I can say Im not a chicklit fan but she rates higher than the Bronte Sisters IMO.

The thing about literature is taste and you either like it or you dont. .

Critical analysis of literature is not about taste - it's about aesthetics. Just becasue you like the taste of sh1t doesn't mean it's not sh1t - it just means you like the taste of sh1t. I think the OP's bitter point, is that PS I love you is garbage, which I wouldn't dissagree with - Ive no problem with people liking it for what it is or considering it the best of the chic-lit genre, or indeed not liking some of the established giants of literature (each to his own) but claiming it is better than the bronte sisters just because you happen to eat your own feaces is a really laughable argument.

CDfm · 26-01-2009 11:22pm

994 wrote: »

I meant the sort of essay a JC student would submit.

Romeo and Juliet is an EMO play:mad:

Elmo · 26-01-2009 11:48pm

CDfm wrote: »

Romeo and Juliet is an EMO play:mad:

It's a ****ing soap opera :mad: and an American one :eek:

Last week on Romeo and Juliet
Priest sends monk out to find Romeo, monk ends up being quarantined!

Sorry OTT

CDfm · 27-01-2009 7:44am

Dr Bolouswki wrote: »

Critical analysis of literature is not about taste - it's about aesthetics. Just becasue you like the taste of sh1t doesn't mean it's not sh1t - it just means you like the taste of sh1t. I think the OP's bitter point, is that PS I love you is garbage, which I wouldn't dissagree with - Ive no problem with people liking it for what it is or considering it the best of the chic-lit genre, or indeed not liking some of the established giants of literature (each to his own) but claiming it is better than the bronte sisters just because you happen to eat your own feaces is a really laughable argument.

I think you miss my point. Aesthetics is also about taste or preference not just technique.

When I say I dont like Shakespeare or Joyce or the Brontes or Charles Dickens - what I am saying is that while I can appreciate their writings I find them boring. Im not a fan.

Donegalfella loves his literature and give him his books and a mountainy view and his gf and he is happy.

Critical analysis as taught in schools is about recognising a technique which is used in a piece a literature to convey a feeling or an emotion as part of its aesthetics.

A Shakespeare play or an Alice Cooper concert -Vincent Furnier wins out everytime -its the aesthetics aint it:)

Karlusss · 28-01-2009 5:04am

While I think you're both working off pretty basic assumptions as regards what critical analysis is...

Are you seriously suggesting that Cecilia Ahern's body of work is better than that of the Bronte sisters, which has endured and continued to be read and thought even though the direct context is long gone because of its skill and its universal appeal?

The thing about chick lit is, it's chick lit. It's like murder-mysteries or horror books, it's generic, it does what's expected of it and it doesn't overly challenge, as a whole. Is that why you prefer it to Shakespeare, Beckett, Joyce and Bronte? Because it doesn't challenge the way you think, or challenge you to think?

DublinWriter · 28-01-2009 5:57am

Alicesilver wrote: »

Compare her college articles (you can find then on the net) with the writing style in her 'novels'. Not the same style, smacks of ghost writing.

Nope. The real tragedy is that she wrote it all by herself.

Her real genius lay in her contracting one the top literary agents in the country to deal with prospective publishers on her behalf. Budding fiction writers take note!

Cecelia Ahern - hack, PS, I hate you, you suck

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