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1. Arthur Conan Doyle – “A Study in Scarlet”
Arthur Conan Doyle, the mastermind behind Sherlock Holmes, once said he grew to resent his own creation. He confessed in letters that he felt trapped by Holmes, and even tried to kill him off in “The Final Problem.” “A Study in Scarlet,” the first Holmes novel, haunted Doyle for years. He felt it overshadowed his more serious historical novels, which he believed were his true literary calling. Despite its wild popularity, Doyle admitted that Holmes became “an intolerable burden” on his creativity. According to interviews and biographers, Doyle’s regret stemmed from being pigeonholed, not from the book’s quality. Readers adored Holmes, but Doyle’s frustration was well documented, especially as Holmes became a global phenomenon.
2. Anthony Burgess – “A Clockwork Orange”
Anthony Burgess famously wished he’d never written “A Clockwork Orange.” In his autobiography, Burgess called it “a novel I am prepared to repudiate.” The film adaptation by Stanley Kubrick shocked audiences and led to controversy over violence and censorship. Burgess felt the book’s message was misunderstood and that the movie overshadowed his other work. He lamented being known mainly for a book he wrote quickly, almost as a joke, to fulfill a publishing contract. Even years later, Burgess was uncomfortable with the notoriety and negative attention the book brought him. He stated in interviews that he regretted the fame more than the content, yet the regret lingered.
3. Sir Salman Rushdie – “The Satanic Verses”
Sir Salman Rushdie’s “The Satanic Verses” changed his life—mostly for the worse, he has said. The book’s publication in 1988 led to worldwide protests and a fatwa calling for his assassination. In interviews since, Rushdie has reflected on the years of hiding and fear that followed. He said, “If I could go back, I might not have written it knowing the cost.” The book’s literary merits are still debated, but the personal toll on Rushdie was enormous. He lost his freedom and peace of mind, and the threats extended to his family and publishers. The regret here is rooted not in the writing, but in the devastating aftermath.
4. Louisa May Alcott – “Little Women”
Louisa May Alcott openly admitted she never wanted to write “Little Women.” Her publisher pressured her for a girls’ book, but Alcott preferred writing thrillers and sensational stories. As she wrote in her journals, she found the project dull and felt she was “writing for bread.” Despite her misgivings, “Little Women” became a beloved classic. Alcott’s regret centered on being pigeonholed as a children’s author, which limited her literary ambitions. She frequently expressed her frustration with being remembered for a story she never loved. Yet, readers fell in love with the March sisters, making her regret a poignant twist.
5. Ian Fleming – “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”
Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond, wrote “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” for his son. While charming and whimsical, Fleming soon regretted the book’s impact. He feared it would overshadow his reputation as a serious spy novelist. In letters to friends, Fleming called the book “a bit of nonsense” and worried about being typecast. The children’s book, while successful, clashed with his adult image. Fleming’s regret was not about the story, but about confusing his brand. His biographers note that he became uneasy with the book’s popularity compared to his Bond novels.
6. Stephen King – “Rage”
Stephen King’s “Rage,” published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, is a novel the author pulled from print. After several school shootings were linked to the book’s influence, King publicly stated he regretted writing it. In interviews, he described feeling “deeply disturbed” by the unintended consequences. By 1999, King requested his publisher no longer print “Rage.” He wrote in his memoir, “I never want to see it again.” The regret here is real and rooted in the book’s impact on vulnerable readers. King has since become a vocal advocate for responsible storytelling.
7. Elizabeth Gilbert – “Eat, Pray, Love”
Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir “Eat, Pray, Love” was a blockbuster, but the author has voiced complicated feelings about its legacy. In recent interviews, Gilbert admitted that the book’s wild success brought her both joy and regret. She felt boxed in by the “self-help” image and struggled to write freely afterward. Gilbert described the pressure to live up to the memoir’s spiritual transformation as “suffocating.” She has even said she sometimes wishes she had never published it, as it became “bigger than my life.” The regret here is about the loss of privacy and creative freedom.
8. Mary Shelley – “Frankenstein”
Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” is a gothic masterpiece, but Shelley herself struggled with its legacy. She wrote the novel as a young woman, almost as a dare, and never imagined it would become her defining work. Throughout her life, Shelley felt that “Frankenstein” overshadowed her more mature novels and poetry. In letters, she expressed regret that people only wanted to hear about the monster. The endless fascination with the book’s themes haunted Shelley, who longed to be recognized for her other literary work. Her regret was not for the story itself, but for how it eclipsed her career.
9. John Boyne – “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas”
John Boyne’s “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” was widely read, but Boyne has faced harsh criticism for historical inaccuracies. Holocaust educators and survivors accused the book of trivializing the Holocaust, and Boyne has since expressed regret for not researching more thoroughly. In recent interviews, he admitted, “If I had known then what I know now, I would have written it differently.” Boyne’s regret stems from realizing the book’s impact on Holocaust education and the pain it caused some readers. The controversy has changed how he approaches writing about sensitive subjects.
10. Bret Easton Ellis – “American Psycho”
Bret Easton Ellis’s “American Psycho” is infamous for its graphic violence, and the author has described the writing process as “painful.” In interviews, Ellis confessed to being haunted by the backlash and the way the book was received. He has said, “If I had known what would happen, maybe I wouldn’t have written it.” The controversy led to threats and damaged his reputation for years. Ellis has reflected that the book’s notoriety often overshadows the rest of his career. He regrets the distress it caused, even as it remains a cult classic.
11. Agatha Christie – “The Mousetrap”
Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” is the world’s longest-running play, yet Christie herself grew tired of its fame. In her autobiography, she wrote that she wished she could “retire” the play and move on. Christie felt trapped by its never-ending success and the expectation to always talk about it. She rarely attended performances and sometimes joked about writing under a different name. The play’s popularity became a kind of golden cage, limiting her creative freedom. Christie’s regret was not about the story, but about being defined by a single work.
12. J.D. Salinger – “The Catcher in the Rye”
J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” became a cultural phenomenon, but Salinger himself retreated from the spotlight. He famously shunned interviews and lived a reclusive life, in part because of the book’s overwhelming fame. Friends and biographers report that Salinger often regretted the attention and the misunderstandings sparked by the novel. He felt that readers obsessed over Holden Caulfield in ways he never intended. Salinger’s regret was about fame and misinterpretation, not about the novel’s content. The relentless attention pushed him away from publishing more work.
13. Margaret Mitchell – “Gone with the Wind”
Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone with the Wind” was a monumental success, but Mitchell herself had reservations. She struggled with the legacy of the novel’s portrayal of race and slavery. In letters, she expressed discomfort with how some readers romanticized the Old South. In recent years, debates over the book’s historical accuracy have intensified, and some of Mitchell’s family members revealed that she regretted the controversy it caused. The book’s complicated legacy has overshadowed Mitchell’s intentions, leading to lasting regret.
14. E.L. James – “Fifty Shades of Grey”
E.L. James’s “Fifty Shades of Grey” brought her fortune and fame, but also harsh criticism. In interviews, James admitted she wasn’t prepared for the backlash. The book’s portrayal of relationships, consent, and sexuality sparked controversy, and James has said she sometimes wishes she had written under a pseudonym. She regrets the way the book affected her private life and the relentless judgment it brought. James has reflected that the notoriety often overshadowed her intentions and made her wary of future projects.
15. Harper Lee – “Go Set a Watchman”
Harper Lee’s “Go Set a Watchman” was published decades after “To Kill a Mockingbird,” but Lee reportedly regretted its release. Friends said she was pressured into publishing the manuscript, and she was distressed by the backlash over Atticus Finch’s portrayal. The controversy over whether Lee truly approved the publication added to the regret. Many felt the book tarnished her legacy, and Lee herself was said to be upset by the response. The regret here is tied to publishing decisions and the impact on a beloved character.
16. William Golding – “The Lord of the Flies”
William Golding’s “The Lord of the Flies” became a staple in classrooms, but he struggled with the way people interpreted his message. Golding worried that readers saw the novel as a celebration of violence rather than a warning. In his later years, he expressed frustration over being asked to explain the book’s meaning repeatedly. Golding’s regret was about the misreading of his work and the way it overshadowed his other novels. He often wished he had written more clearly or chosen a different subject.
17. Anne Rice – “Interview with the Vampire”
Anne Rice’s “Interview with the Vampire” launched her career, but she sometimes regretted how personal the book felt. She based much of the story on her own grief after the death of her daughter. In interviews, Rice has said revisiting the novel was emotionally painful, and she struggled with fans’ obsession with the characters. She also expressed regret about how the book affected her family life, as the fame was overwhelming. Rice’s regret was mixed with gratitude, but the pain never fully faded.
18. J.K. Rowling – “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”
J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” was eagerly anticipated, but Rowling has since expressed regret about some creative decisions. Fans were divided over the play’s plot and character arcs, and Rowling admitted she wished she could “take some things back.” She has said the pressure to please fans made the process stressful and less enjoyable. The mixed reception left Rowling feeling uncertain about expanding the Harry Potter universe. Her regret is about not meeting expectations rather than the story itself.
19. Maya Angelou – “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”
Maya Angelou’s memoir “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” is celebrated, but Angelou sometimes regretted exposing so much of her personal life. She spoke openly about feeling vulnerable and exposed after the book’s release. The memoir’s honest portrayal of trauma and racism brought both acclaim and pain. Angelou’s regret was about the personal cost of sharing her story, especially as it affected her family. Despite its importance, she sometimes wished she had kept more private.
20. George Orwell – “Animal Farm”
George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” was a satirical triumph, but Orwell regretted how the book was used politically. In his later essays, Orwell complained that the novel was co-opted by groups he disagreed with. He worried that the satire was misunderstood or misapplied, especially during the Cold War. Orwell’s regret was about losing control over his message, as the book became a tool for propaganda. He often wished he had written more explicitly or chosen a different allegory.
Besides founding Festivaltopia, Luca is the co founder of trib, an art and fashion collectiv you find on several regional events and online. Also he is part of the management board at HORiZONTE, a group travel provider in Germany.
