Unpopular Opinions Tag 

Unpopular opinion : Romance is good when It's not the main focus of the story

"There's a thing he uses in the book that I really really didn't like".... was it the word UNDULATING?

I also absolutely despise the “I want to protect you so I’ll hurt you” trope. It is so frustrating and cheap.

I like to imagine that Merphy just magically changed her attire when she did the skillshare sponsor.

The real MVPs are the youtubers who wear different clothes while presenting their sponsorships, so that we'll know from the thumbline where the ad is over and click there.

Merphy promoting Skillshare: "That wasn't me. That was Patricia."

Having an unpopular opinion allows you to explain your stance to a wider variety of people and that can be really interesting

I can understand not wanting to read Poppy War. I'm reading the second book right now, and while good the series is very dark. The topics you're concerned about are handled well, it's ultimately an anti-war series that shows the consequences of war on innocent populations realistically, but it can be a lot to handle for some readers. Some of it is quite graphic but with necessity. Still, not for everyone.

My dark Vanessa, really?? I'm a therapist and I work with a lot of survivors. I love it, it was totally realistic. I read it because of your intense recommendation, thank you.🤗❤🇦🇷

RIP Berserk author who recently passed away. It's also an on going series ,and right now no one knows if his assistants are going to take it up or if it is just going to stay unfinished.

Can I just say that I love how much of a great critic you are?! I love your unpopular opinions.

Merphy I'd love to see a video with the list of Manga that you're interested in reading!! 😁

Totally agree. If I’m reading a book these days and I’m not liking it, I stop 🛑: there’s so much out there, why waste your time and I think 🤔 it’s pretty rare that books I don’t like turn round and surprise me in the end. Just my POV, but I agree. 🙂

*Minor stormlight spoilers* Thank you for mentioning the love triangle in stormlight archive. I actively hated it. Honestly my biggest issue was how Syl, a bloody **honor** spren, kept pushing Kal to do his best to slip in and breakup Shallan and Adolin. The whole thing felt so out of place and backwards, it was really painful to read.

to be honest i expected that Merphy will not love berserk

I am also extremely sensitive to those 2 things and it gives me anxiety to try new adult fiction books or movies... it's just everywhere and its so hard. I usually always spoil a book plot or movie so I can anticipate what's going to happen.

Yes! Peter Pan and Alice in wonderland… two classics that people love that I can’t really get behind. King is just a mixed bag because he has so many books out written in different points in his life.

Im manly talking about the end of Tangled here but I love it when a character is about to save another characters life but it could have major consequences for them to the point that the other character dosen't want to be saved.

The "I want to protect you, so I'm going to hurt you" trope is definitely a tightrope thing for sure. It can be done well but it is hard to find an example. And for some people it is just a no-go in general. Fair point.

(I apologize in advance if fifty people have already mentioned this.) The woman who so brilliantly played the leading role in “Misery,” was Kathy Bates and she won an Academy Award for it. That was her break-out role and it firmly moved her into the top tier of actors. So, you are absolutely right! The movie was better than the book because a phenomenal actor breathed life into that role to a genuinely remarkable degree. I’m glad you highlighted that particular adaptation because so few rise to this level.

6:17 ahh the relief at being caught up with most of Sanderson’s books

I really like Berserk but it indeed gets very dark and considering Murphy’s limits I don’t think it would be something for her. Especially the eclipse. And I get it with not liking Mat because he can be a childish person who comes over very selfish but honestly that is what I like about him. Density or fate is calling for Mat to fight the forces of darkness and his reaction is just nope, turn 180 degrees and walk away. But when someone is in danger he nags and growls but he will jump into fire for them. Which for me is a interesting version of a protagonist.

I didn't expect Patricia to break my heart by being on some worst books lists, but here we are.

About movie adaptaion... The last adaptation of Rebecca is pretty okay. The Frenchman's Creek is very charming too.

I really hate the miscommunication trope, especially how the majority of authors use it to create cheap drama that affects their entire plot. Don't get me wrong I love me some drama, but not for drama for the dumbest reasons possible like person a thinks person b called them a dumbass when really person b was talking about person c but now person a and b stop being friends for like two hundred pages of a three hundred page book.

Unpopular opinion (sorry, Merph): Though the book was well-written, I think the Jurassic Park movie is WAY better than the book, mainly due to the character changes in the film. But I completely agree with you on the Poppy War series. #nope

I have those same sensitivities and the few recommendations Ive read from you haven't had them and so now I feel even more safe continuing to read books you recommend thank you so much for being vulnerable about that Merphy!

First time I liked the timing on the add, it was immediately after merphy said "it could be a really controversial one" on the popular character you don't like question. That's my unpopular opinion, I liked the add cut.

Here’s me wondering why people would skip spoilers... then remembering that the only reason I don’t is because my memory is so bad I won’t remember them anyway

FWIW, the "camera" in Poppy War is usually not focusing on the rapes or the genocide. It's usually the characters having to deal with the aftermath of it.

One thing I really appreciate about your reviewing style is you are very clear in stating your opinion is your opinion and not the definitive standard. You are also among the best in providing rationale for your opinion.

I literally just picked up The Way of Kings from the library today, what the heck. Oh! And since you're getting into manga, I recommend "The Girl from the Other Side". It's just really cute and pretty and intriguing.

The ad read 😆😆😆😆 definitely the best one yet.

Unpopular opinion: I actually love Patricia McWriterly's books

Mat was a much deeper character for me on my WoT re-read than my first read. That’s true for a lot of the characters actually.

Personally, I found My Dark Vanessa to be INFINITELY more difficult to read than all of the violence in the Poppy War. There is definitely child neglect and graphic rape, but I guess it didn't affect me as much because it is in the backdrop of war and violence. The detailed ways in which Vanessa is manipulated made me nearly vomit multiple times. But that may just be me. I am a History teacher so I may be a bit desensitized (in visceral reaction-- I am still incredibly appalled) to war violence. I definitely think it was necessary as she was using real events from Chinese History like the Rape of Nanking for her to incorporate the violence and brutality. Curious why you were able to get through My Dark Vanessa though since it is basically about child abuse and sexual assault, and those are the two things you are sensitive to. Is it because it wasn't aggressive?

I completely agree with your Jade City/ Jade war opinion, they seem kinda overhyped in general and presented by fans as something they are not. Even the blurbs on the book cover are guilty of this

100% agreed with you on Mat and Wayne. Had to pause the video and comment immediately

The Poppy War is a heavy book series, so if someone wants to read it, they should look up trigger warnings and decide if they can get into it or not! But I just want to say that the book handles these topics very well in my opinion, and if someone is triggered by the same two things Merphy mentioned: they are not the focus of the book and (again, in my opinion) one could skip a few chapters where they come up, it's not a prominent part of the story.

i'm really glad you posted cause i just finished the mistborn trilogy and am currently going through post-book depression

I'm soooo glad someone finally expressed my exact feelings for the greenbone saga. I mean I enjoyed it but based on the hype I thought I would like it a lot more

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on some of your favorite things and dislikes.

Yea, I noticed that Sanderson did that in not just one but two books and honestly it felt clunky af to me. Like I have seen authors drop relationships but it is usually done with a lot more finesse.

I always felt that Shallan’s chemistry was better with Kaladin…

I like abusive relationship trope but I want them to be recognise as what it is and there should not be a redemption for that and the journey of the love interest to get rid of that relationship and his or her emotional journey along with it

My unpopular movie that's better than the book opinon: Lotr. I looooove the story so much but I'm just not a big fan of Tolkien's writing style so while they're not perfect I actually prefer the film trilogy to the books.

On the final question, which adaptation do you prefer to the book, I would say Legend of the Guardians: Owls of Ga'Hoole. I dont dislike the book series, I loved it as a kid, and the film adaptation I think made a good choice in adapting the very small books (the first three) into a film. It improved what was there and handled the themes really well. Along with the animation being absolutely stunning, I wish they had gone further into the series.

If you like Kathy Bates in Misery definitely watch Delores Claiborne. Kathy Bates was great as a crazy fan in Misery but i think shes even better as a tough as nails protective mother in Delores Claiborne. Just a note, the movie involves an abusive husband and father and there's one scene that alludes to sexual assault but it's not graphic.

Just started this video, and you go straight into Murakami! 😬 “The Wind Up Bird Chronicles” is one of my favorite books I have ever read, so it is somewhat painful to hear someone disliking h8m as an author. 😔

If you ever in the mood for historical fiction anyway, check out War and Peace. It's like an epic fantasy without magic (think Powder Mage fallout from the point of view of Kez (Russia)), and it's really slow and politics-oriented, which you should enjoy, and it's far more character driven than plot driven. And it's written by a grandson of one of the main characters, so the history part is quite correct

I love Peter Pan and Peter Pan retellings!!

love seeing merphy acting in the ads

Good stuff as always, Merphy.

on the poppy war trilogy, i'm also really sensitive to those topics you mentioned and I found that the author handled them really well. They do come up a couple of times, and it's definitely a brutal read, but no worse than the Broken Earth trilogy

You should do another Gris play through. I really enjoyed those!

I'll fight you for your opinion on Mat! He is awesome 😁

I totally agree with your opinions on King.

A Monster Calls is an excellent movie adaptation. I think the visual does bring a lot to story personally and there is a scene at the end that I do love, so I hesitantly say I do prefer the movie for those reasons. But if you love the book it is worth a watch. I am honestly surprised I don't hear more people talking about it.

King is kind of a person of many seasons, his books do not exactly lend well to you when you're in a dark place or if you're in a bad spot in life, but when you're reading it and it really hits, it hits great. So I highly recommend reading Stephen King when you have that mood but not when you don't because it affects how you perceive the writing. But I definitely will say his Bachman books like Roadwork are some of the worst I've ever read yet I'm a big fan of King.

TOTALLY agree with your hated trope!!

Oooh. . . Never thought I'd hear you say something that I couldn't at least understand, even if I didn't agree. . . But Matrim?! Whoa. :P

So sad having to skip all the Cosmere spoilers... I want to be part of the club!! Reading The Final Empire right now though, so eventually I'll get there.

Yay! Patricia Mcwriterly is back!!

My Dark Vanessa is one of my favourite books and I first heard of it when you read it right before it came out

I honestly was quite surprised that you didn't like Kafka on the shore as I loved this book so much but I totally respect your opinion, Murakami has a certain way of writing and it's not for everyone. Overall I quite like your videos and opinions about books and congrats, you just got a new subscriber.

Loved The Poppy War! Also, weren’t those “triggers” in My Dark Vanessa?

I too for a long time thought the ending to Stormlight love triangle was clunky, but then in the greater context of RoW it hit me; this was a very healthy way to end a pining-style romance for Kal. Instead of: lurking, stalking and other nasty things that come from toxic sides of this. I was glad that he made a mature decision and was glad she did also. Great video ❤

Loved future Merphy "okay bye" lol

I feel like I don't really have unpopular opinions, I seem to agree with basically everyone else. But I love to see other people having them, it's so entertaining

I didn't enjoy Red Rising either I have to be honest- I read a chapter and ended up dnfing it before gifting it to a friend- I'm not sure whether it was the writing style or just that I didn't gel with it but yeah not my cup of tea. How can anyone dislike Peter Pan- it's one of my favourite classics!. I can't stomach rape scenes in books either or in movies I won't be able to read The Poppy War at all. I just find it a bit too confronting and horrible for lack of a better term. This was an enjoyable tag Merphy- great critiquing!.

If everyone's recommending manga I want to recommend my favorite EVER. It's name is Chihayafuru, is a josei (its target audience is adult women) about a Japanese card game called Karuta that's actually a real life sport about poems, the romance is not the center plot but it's subtle and intricate. It's the most beautiful manga ever, the game is super interesting, the protagonist is a highschooler who is obsessed in becoming the best Karuta player in the world, she's passionate and an air head, her best friend is one of the best and more complicated side character ever (well One Piece actually takes the crown in amazing side characters but it's a different vibe) and theres a love triangle that even if I hate with all my soul love triangles this is the only I can pass because adds up to much to the actual game and their separate goals and dreams. So yeah you should give it a try 😍. Edit: I hate that love triangle in The Stormlight Archives too, I think is more of a popular opinion maybe.

I 100% am with you on Murakami and King.

Having never seen “Misery” I totally agree that the woman who plays the lady did a great job

I think I tend to like King's short stories more for like a similar reason maybe?

Wow I'm really early for first time !! I love your unpopular opinions cause they always makes sense in one way or the other 😅😅

I have really had my fill of characters in overtly magical environments claiming that some other magic is ridiculous and doesn’t exist. Here’s an example is it there’s zombies all over the place but someone mentions vampires and the next thing you hear or several Iroll‘s and how could that be WTF

Kafka on the Shore: I both loved and hated it at the same time. It's the case with most of the Murakami's books I've read so far: I get really annoyed about some things, and I hate the way he does certain things (like female characters), but I can't put down the damn book, it's almost like morbid curiosity. And they always stay in my mind for a long time afterwards, which means that at least they stood out from other books I might have read.

Have you started “Fruits Basket” yet? Great series

I personally love berserk to bits but I would heavily urge you not to read it because there are quite a lot of those things you don't like I do recommend you to read Vinland saga which has similar themes but with a lot less of the things you don't like Keep up the good work

So I skipped because I am reading Oathbringer but I am also not there for the love triangle. I love Adolin and Shallan and I love to see a romance where they interact. So often female protagonists get with someone super intense and serious and it was awesome to show the light and sweet side of getting to know someone. I just…I don’t know what will happen but I hope there’s no cheating with Kal because I really would like S+A to be together.

You should try the newer Stephen king books. They are a bit different from his earlier work. For example "Revival".

Here’s an adaptation that I liked better then the book, Ready Player One. To be fair, I did watch the movie first but reading the book didn’t effect how I feel about the movie. I do applaud Ernest Cline for writing his book but his descriptions are out matched by the visuals in the movie. Also, I feel like the movie tells a better story then the book does. Side remark: Hey Murphy, have you ever considered reading our (the commenters) unpopular opinions in a separate video? I think that would be cool and it wouldn’t surprise me if I’m not the only one.

I agree I also dislike Stormlight Archive's love triangle

Pet Semetary is the only book I've dnf'd - but not because I didn't like it! I just got too creeped out and scared and couldn't go on. I might go back and finish it one day when I'm feeling brave LOL

Berserk is also my answer for a popular series I will probably never read. Not because of the content or subject matter, just because I know it's never going to end.

Hi Merphy. Historical fiction reader here with a number of recommendations if you're interesed: If you're looking to try more historical fiction, I'd really recommend Dorothy Dunnett's works (Lymond Chronicles, House of Niccolo, and King Hereafter). They are fantastic novels with wonderful prose. The first book in the Lymond Chronicles in particular has moments and plotlines reminiscent of The Count of Monte Cristo (only set in Scotland), which I know you like. For Lymond Chronicles, the story is set in 16th century Scotland, where the outcast son of a Scottish nobleman family abruptly returns home with mysterious intentions while England attempts to annex Scotland. There is also Hilary Mantel's Cromwell Trilogy which, while a slow burn with some prose that is difficult to get used to, has an intriguing plot with a fantastic lead character. It's set in the Tudor era and follows Henry VIIIs chief minister as he rises to (and later falls from) power. An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears does some fascinating things with narrative, character and perspective, but has some disturbing scenes and subject matter (especially regarding the female lead) which may turn you off it. I'd still cautiously recommend it if you think you can handle that. Set in the Restoration period, the novel follows the testimonies of four men at a trial regarding a young woman who has allegedly murdered her benefactor. Aside from that, both Ken Follett and Bernard Cornwells historical novels tend to range from decent to fantastic and are worth checking out. I'm happy to recommend more if you're interested or want something more specific. I find that, when it's done right, Historical Fiction can be as engaging as fantasy. I hope this helps you find something you like.

The very first thing that came to mind with the first question was The Poetry of Oscar Wilde. I loved The Picture of Dorian of Gray, it was beautifully written and so poetic. So forgive me for thinking his poetry would be the same. It felt like the pages were yelling at me about greek mythology. It was unpleasant and it kicked me out of the poetry mood for around a year.

Daniel will get mad at that Jade War and Mat ones...

I really like your reviews, and I've found that if you like a book, I'm going to like it too. However, meh to Peter Pan, and just about any Stephen King. Multiple suicide attempts almost ruined a very popular book for me (don't want to name it for spoiler reasons), that I think you gave a positive review. That said, I love getting your take on any book.

Unpopular opinion: I love fantasy, but I hated Hunger Games, Shadow and Bone, Divergent, Red Queen, and Maze Runner.

I've finished Book 7 of WoT and Mat has finally grown on me (as he's finally grown up a bit and wow does he not have a fun time in that book). What I don't understand is the love for Perrin? He's fine, don't get me wrong, but so far he's just been a bit bland and sometimes annoyingly self-righteous. Can someone explain why everyone loves him? I may have just missed something

I had a weird relationship with Wayne....I was 'okay' with him throughout Era 2, but whenever the chapters perspective was from him POV, I just wanted to get it over with 😅😅😅

I enjoyed Peter Pan too. Maybe not to your extent, but I'm proud to have it part of my classics collection. If you want a good Manga series, look to Azumanga Daioh. It is a slice of life 4 book series about a group of high school girls. It's hilarious.

Wow that's a pretty good like-to-dislike ratio. You did well Merphy!

Stardust - awesome!

Your rating of SK books, sounded a lot like that one Daniel Sloss joke about his mum loving them all the same, i just smiled wider with each book you ranked. (That does not say anything on the books/my opinions on King's work, since i have this this where fear/being scared (jump or otherwise) is/reacts in physical pain. So i- yeah.)

This was fun!!!

Invisible library by genevive cogman is a steampunk series, ae historical+fantasy/magic. This one has magical librarians. The 9th and last book is out in december. Things a bright girl can do by Sally Nichols is a great historical standalone.

Fully agree with Sanderson and love triangles. Don't get me wrong, I love all of his books, he is my favorite author at the moment, but he is just terrible in writing relationships (Shalan - Adolin) and love triangles especially.

I am fine with bloody violence etc. but The Poppy War was definitely difficult at times with the frequent descriptions of violence towards children. As a mum, I find it really triggering and had to take a couple of time outs, which I've never had to do before. The book was addictive but I would always warn people about the violence towards children. I'm glad you knew of it before thinking of starting it.