Today’s Booking Through Thursday question:
If you’re anything like me, one of your favorite reasons to read is for the story. Not for the character development and interaction. Not because of the descriptive, emotive powers of the writer. Not because of deep, literary meaning hidden beneath layers of metaphor. (Even though those are all good things.) No … it’s because you want to know what happens next?
Or, um, is it just me?
Well, I like a good plot as much as the next reader, but I have to say that my favorite books always have something else going for them. I love good atmosphere; I enjoy the Harry Potter books mainly because I like the world, not because I’m very interested in the plot, although I can speed through them since it’s easy to get involved. I love unreliable narrators, flawed characters of all kinds, multi-faceted villains, and beautiful descriptions. I’m perfectly happy to read without anything happening in the plot as long as I’ve got the rest of it going on. My favorite plots always have many sides to them – I need multiple threads running through a novel to feel engrossed in it. Fantasy literature does this best.
Plot is just one of my many considerations when it comes to reading. I like a good story, but I want a whole lot more besides.
You’re the first one to mention “multiple threads,” and I must say that I agree with you on that.
I need multiple threads running through a novel to feel engrossed in it.
Yes, exactly! That’s a lovely analogy.