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What makes a book satisfying for you?
Posted on 10/4/19 at 4:30 pm
Posted on 10/4/19 at 4:30 pm
What elements of a piece of writing are you most drawn to? Which, if they are not satisfying, make you put a book down?
Plot
Style
Setting/Topic
Characters
Point of View
As I get older, I seem to have a very strong preference for style. It almost doesn't matter the topic, or even the plot, if I like the style, the flow, the way the sentences are constructed, I will read it.
Plot
Style
Setting/Topic
Characters
Point of View
As I get older, I seem to have a very strong preference for style. It almost doesn't matter the topic, or even the plot, if I like the style, the flow, the way the sentences are constructed, I will read it.
11
Posted on 10/4/19 at 4:47 pm to Sigma
I usually divide it into three elements
Plot
Characters / voice
Setting
If a book does two well or nails one of the three I enjoy it usually. Ones that nail two of the three are awesome, and my favorites make me think about things in a different light - not really philosophical meandering but just putting a character in a situation or setting, some combo of those 3 element that makes me pause and think about the implications is what I really enjoy.
Plot
Characters / voice
Setting
If a book does two well or nails one of the three I enjoy it usually. Ones that nail two of the three are awesome, and my favorites make me think about things in a different light - not really philosophical meandering but just putting a character in a situation or setting, some combo of those 3 element that makes me pause and think about the implications is what I really enjoy.
This post was edited on 10/4/19 at 4:48 pm
Posted on 10/4/19 at 8:17 pm to Sigma
Some examples for me:
Blood Meridian
The Falconer
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Capote’s short stories
O’Conner’s short stories
All the King’s Men
Blood Meridian
The Falconer
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Capote’s short stories
O’Conner’s short stories
All the King’s Men
Posted on 10/7/19 at 12:12 pm to Sigma
Very hard to answer. I want to at the very least be entertained when I read a book, but all of those elements can be entertaining so I guess maybe it comes down to which element helps or hurts the entertainment value.
That said, nothing will make me put a book down faster than one with bland or simple characters. Some writers can overcome bland characters with other elements. Stephen King is one of those writers for me, though 11/22/63 is the only book of his I've read over the last 15 or so years. I've tried 2 Jonathan Franzen books, but couldn't finish either because I hated the characters so much.
That said, nothing will make me put a book down faster than one with bland or simple characters. Some writers can overcome bland characters with other elements. Stephen King is one of those writers for me, though 11/22/63 is the only book of his I've read over the last 15 or so years. I've tried 2 Jonathan Franzen books, but couldn't finish either because I hated the characters so much.
Posted on 10/8/19 at 8:14 pm to The Spleen
quote:
I've tried 2 Jonathan Franzen books, but couldn't finish either because I hated the characters so much.
100%. He seems pretty insufferable himself, which is tough for me to get past too.
Posted on 10/9/19 at 1:07 am to Sigma
Plot followed closely by characters by far for me.
A cool setting can seal the deal quickly, but the other two are a must for me to consider a book really good.
I can appreciate a unique voice and style, and terrific prose, but by itself it does very little for me.
A cool setting can seal the deal quickly, but the other two are a must for me to consider a book really good.
I can appreciate a unique voice and style, and terrific prose, but by itself it does very little for me.
Posted on 10/11/19 at 10:55 pm to Sigma
The Ending.
If it's not interesting it never makes it to the end, and if it didn't end well, it wasn't satisfying.
If it's not interesting it never makes it to the end, and if it didn't end well, it wasn't satisfying.
Posted on 10/17/19 at 11:40 am to Sigma
Style and setting.
Posted on 10/17/19 at 12:45 pm to Sigma
What makes a book most satisfying to me is an author with a great writing voice/style who can combine it with good characters. Michael Chabon is my favorite living writer. McCarthy's up there too.
I just finished Native Son by Richard Wright. I wasn't crazy about the plot at times, but he was a great writer.
I know a couple of comments here are anti-Franzen, but I always enjoy his writing too.
I just finished Native Son by Richard Wright. I wasn't crazy about the plot at times, but he was a great writer.
I know a couple of comments here are anti-Franzen, but I always enjoy his writing too.
This post was edited on 10/18/19 at 10:53 am
Posted on 10/18/19 at 10:29 am to Htowntiger90
quote:
Michael Chabon is my favorite living writer of this type
I just read my first Chabon book last year(Kavalier and Clay) and fell in love with his writing. I've since read Moonglow, Mysteries of Pittsburgh, and Wonder Boys. Currently reading The Yiddish Policemen's Union. He's easily become my favorite living writer.
Posted on 10/18/19 at 10:52 am to The Spleen
Yep Chabon is amazing. I'm working on a novel, and when I've mentioned Chabon to writers' groups I've been in, almost no one has heard of him. Makes me think I need to hang out with writers who like better writers. 
E.T.A. fixed my other post: really he's also my favorite living writer period.
E.T.A. fixed my other post: really he's also my favorite living writer period.
This post was edited on 10/18/19 at 10:55 am
Posted on 10/18/19 at 4:05 pm to Sigma
My tastes have changed as I’ve aged as well. It used to be all plot for me- if nothing happened, I was bored. Now it characters- I’m blown away with the subtle accuracy of some authors. My favorite book for the past few years is Mary Shelley’s “The Last Man.”
Posted on 11/7/19 at 8:25 am to Sigma
I think all the elements matter, but for me it probably starts with catching my attention/interest, and so setting/topic would usually be the bait.
Then quickly comes...
Plot
Characters
Style
Point of view.
Then quickly comes...
Plot
Characters
Style
Point of view.
Posted on 12/4/19 at 8:58 pm to Sigma
I don't know how to explain it, but a book is satisfying when I forget I'm reading a book and time dissapears.
It's the careful craft of fleshing out a world and the characters in it.
I cannot read a book if the universe it creates isn't consistent.
When characters do something stupid or the world violates its own rules I'm immediately taken out of it and it's hard to pick the book back up.
King was the first author I read that did this to me. I have an old paperback copy of Salem's Lot that has literal finger tip bends from me gripping the book while I read it. And I think that's why I love King so much. I understand he's not for everyone, but he does such a solid job of setting up his universe and his characters that I don't even care what happens. I just enjoy the ride. I've read the extended author's cut of "The Stand" three times for this exact reason.
My tastes have certainly changed. In high school, my favorite book was Ender's Gamer. It blew me away. I can still close my eyes and picture the world he went to in the video game exploration he played. I'd swear a watched it as a movie even though I've only read the book. I can imagine being in the paralyzing suit like I was there. The characters aren't every dimensional, but the universe is well crafted.
Plot for me is the last thing on my mind. I'm all about the journey not the ending. Give me a solid set of characters and a well established universe they occupy and I'll happily read a 1000 pages of them doing nothing.
But give the best plot in the world to lame characters or a 2Dworld and I doubt I finish the book.
Currently, I'm reading the Crimson Queen and it is fantastic so far.
It's the careful craft of fleshing out a world and the characters in it.
I cannot read a book if the universe it creates isn't consistent.
When characters do something stupid or the world violates its own rules I'm immediately taken out of it and it's hard to pick the book back up.
King was the first author I read that did this to me. I have an old paperback copy of Salem's Lot that has literal finger tip bends from me gripping the book while I read it. And I think that's why I love King so much. I understand he's not for everyone, but he does such a solid job of setting up his universe and his characters that I don't even care what happens. I just enjoy the ride. I've read the extended author's cut of "The Stand" three times for this exact reason.
My tastes have certainly changed. In high school, my favorite book was Ender's Gamer. It blew me away. I can still close my eyes and picture the world he went to in the video game exploration he played. I'd swear a watched it as a movie even though I've only read the book. I can imagine being in the paralyzing suit like I was there. The characters aren't every dimensional, but the universe is well crafted.
Plot for me is the last thing on my mind. I'm all about the journey not the ending. Give me a solid set of characters and a well established universe they occupy and I'll happily read a 1000 pages of them doing nothing.
But give the best plot in the world to lame characters or a 2Dworld and I doubt I finish the book.
Currently, I'm reading the Crimson Queen and it is fantastic so far.
This post was edited on 12/4/19 at 9:03 pm
Posted on 12/6/19 at 8:25 am to Sigma
A satisfying book is one that doesn't try to be all things to all people.
Action books for instance that pointlessly have a female heroine in a completely unrealistic role are terrible. Same goes for romantic tension used as filler. Give me a shorter book with no bullshite, pointless romance over a longer book, where I'm skipping entire passages or chapters.
I read the lovely bones years ago and hated it but I admired the author. She didn't write that book for me. She wrote it strictly for women. I respect that.
Action books for instance that pointlessly have a female heroine in a completely unrealistic role are terrible. Same goes for romantic tension used as filler. Give me a shorter book with no bullshite, pointless romance over a longer book, where I'm skipping entire passages or chapters.
I read the lovely bones years ago and hated it but I admired the author. She didn't write that book for me. She wrote it strictly for women. I respect that.
Posted on 12/6/19 at 8:30 am to Nguyener
quote:
When characters do something stupid or the world violates its own rules
I hate this concept in both movies and books.
When a character does something utterly stupid or unrealistic simply to move the plot along, it's a bad story.
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