There are several reasons. One is the cultural references. If a novel is full of references to a specific culture that you're not familiar with, it becomes difficult. Another is the psychological depth of the characters. When the characters have very complex and nuanced personalities, it's not easy to understand their motives and actions. And sometimes, the author deliberately makes the novel difficult to force the reader to think deeply and engage more actively with the text.
Some novels are considered difficult because of their complex language. They might use archaic words or very long, convoluted sentences. For example, James Joyce's 'Ulysses' has a very complex prose style.
Some novels might be considered boring because of their slow pacing. If the plot moves too sluggishly, it fails to hold the reader's attention. For example, a novel that spends too many pages on uneventful descriptions of a character's daily routine without much progression in the story can be dull.
I think 'Infinite Jest' is really tough. The footnotes alone can make your head spin. It's like the author is trying to overwhelm you with information. 'Gravity's Rainbow' is also difficult. It's so allusive and complex that you need to be really well - read in different areas to fully understand it. And 'Moby - Dick' has those long - winded passages about whaling that can be a drag and make it difficult to keep reading.
Some are considered dumb because of their lack of originality. There are so many clichés like the love triangle where it's always the same predictable pattern. Also, the overuse of certain settings like the small - town where everyone knows everyone's business and the same old story of the outsider coming in and falling in love. It just gets old.
Poor character development is another reason. In some isekai novels, the characters are just one - dimensional. They don't grow or change in any meaningful way throughout the story. Like in certain novels where the protagonist is just a self - insert for the reader to live out a power fantasy without any real personality. And the world - building can be really shoddy too. They might create a fantasy world but not really explore its rules, cultures, or history in a way that makes it feel real and immersive.
The depth of the characters and their relationships can make a visual novel hard. In 'Fate/stay night', there are many characters with intertwined fates and motives. Understanding how they interact with each other and influence the overall story demands a lot of emotional intelligence and the ability to analyze human relationships.
Novels are deemed classics when they stand the test of time, have wide appeal, and contribute significantly to the literary canon. Their depth, originality, and ability to resonate with readers over the years are key factors.
Some are considered shitty because they lack originality. They recycle the same old ideas of a person being sent to another world over and over again. There's no fresh take on the concept.
Some graphic novels are considered controversial because of their themes. For example, if they deal with sensitive topics like war, politics, or social issues in a very direct and unflinching way. Take 'Maus' again, it shows the Holocaust in a new light using the animal allegory, which some people might find too different or even disrespectful at first. But in fact, it's a very powerful way to tell the story. Another reason can be the way they depict characters. If they break traditional norms, like 'The Dark Knight Returns' did with Batman, it can cause controversy.
Some of his novels might be considered bad because they deviate from his usual style that his fans love. For example, if a novel has a less engaging plot or the characters are not as well - crafted as in his better works.
Often, it's due to poor character development. In a lot of these so - called dumb sci - fi novels, the characters are just one - dimensional. They don't grow or change throughout the story. Instead, they just exist to move the basic and often cliched plot forward. For instance, the hero is always the perfect good guy with no flaws, and the villain is pure evil with no redeeming qualities. This lack of depth in the characters makes the whole novel seem simplistic and, well, dumb.