a difficult book

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a difficult book" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a book that presents challenges in understanding or reading. Example: "Many readers find 'Ulysses' to be a difficult book due to its complex narrative style."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"03" is a difficult book to categorize.

The New Yorker

It looks a difficult book.

The Guardian - Books

Does this make Shark a "difficult" book?

The Guardian - Books

"This is a difficult book for us," Alice said.

The New Yorker

But "Freedom" is a difficult book for another reason.

The New Yorker

This was a difficult book that was still thoroughly enjoyable.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

The essays in Edmund Wilson's Axel's Castle (1931) aroused an interest in the Symbolist movement which the movement was not easily able to arouse by itself; the essay on Finnegans Wake, collected in Wilson's Wound and the Bow (1941), eased the way into a very difficult book in a manner that no grim work of solid exegesis could have achieved.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is the story".' "Inasmuch as 'The Little Prince' itself is certainly a fairly difficult book to understand as a child, it is a children's opera, and it isn't," she said.

The New York Times

Walt Disney took a small, difficult book – not yet a classic in the way that Winnie-the-Pooh or Peter Pan were when he got his hands on them – and he stripped it down to its component parts and reimagined.

The Guardian - Books

IT is not unheard of for a novelist of exceptional talent to write a deliberately difficult book.

The New York Times - Books

In between, he found time to direct a research institute in Paris, and to write a formidably difficult book called Formalised Music.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a book as "a difficult book", be specific about what makes it challenging. Is it the complex language, the abstract concepts, or the unconventional structure?

Common error

Avoid simply stating that a book is "a difficult book" without providing any context or explanation. This can be unhelpful to readers. Instead, elaborate on the specific aspects that make it challenging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a difficult book" functions as a descriptive phrase, where "difficult" is an adjective modifying the noun "book". Ludwig AI shows that it's used to characterize books that present challenges in understanding or reading.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a difficult book" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe literature that presents reading or comprehension challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While seemingly straightforward, effective use of this phrase involves specifying why a book is difficult, whether due to complex language, abstract themes, or unconventional structure. Alternatives include "a challenging read" or "a complex book", each carrying slightly different connotations. By considering these nuances, writers can provide a more accurate and helpful assessment of a book's accessibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging read

Focuses on the reading experience as a challenge.

a complex book

Highlights the intricate nature of the book's content.

a tough book

Emphasizes the arduous nature of understanding the book.

an arduous read

Similar to "a challenging read" but with a stronger emphasis on difficulty.

a demanding book

Indicates the book requires significant effort from the reader.

a heavy book

Suggests the book is dense and requires considerable mental effort.

a dense book

Implies the book is packed with information and requires careful reading.

a book requiring careful attention

Explicitly states the need for focused reading.

a book that is hard to understand

Directly conveys the difficulty in comprehending the book's content.

an intricate book

Similar to "a complex book", highlighting the detailed and interwoven nature of the material.

FAQs

How can I use "a difficult book" in a sentence?

You can use "a difficult book" to describe literature that is challenging to read or understand, such as, "'Ulysses' is often considered "a difficult book" due to its stream-of-consciousness style".

What are some alternatives to saying "a difficult book"?

You can use alternatives like "a challenging read", "a complex book", or "a tough book" depending on the specific aspect of the difficulty you want to emphasize.

Is it better to say "a complex book" or "a difficult book"?

Both phrases are correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "A complex book" highlights the intricate nature of the content, while ""a difficult book"" focuses on the challenge it poses to the reader. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What makes a book "a difficult book" to read?

Several factors can contribute, including complex language, abstract concepts, unconventional narrative structure, or a dense amount of information. The profusion of snippets, with no main protagonist or overarching plot, makes it "a difficult book" to read.