|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 4:55 pm
We all know that plot, characterization, theme, and setting are all needed to make a good book, but which is the MOST essential? Which draws you into liking the book most. Just a little discussion to keep those brain cells in shape.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 4:59 pm
Plot is the most important to me, but the one that draws me in most is good characterization. I even tend to like slightly plotless books sometimes if they have good characterization, I like seeing other's views on people's behaviors and thoughts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 7:40 pm
Normally I would say plot as well, but I've been reading a few books lately simply because I enjoy the characters. There was a recent mystery by Donna Leon where I ended up not caring about the mystery itself but enjoyed the interaction between the characters and their setting so much that I kept reading.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 8:03 pm
The pefect book? For me is a book that suck you into to the world of the book for example, when I read Twilight or Harry Potter I sometimes forget that I am reading book make you forget the stress of the real world and makes me believe that I am in Forks or in Hogwards ( I know bad example) sweatdrop
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:21 pm
Hm, I'd have to say I like characters to be interesting, but the plot has to be good too. If I dislike the character I find it hard to really like the rest of the book.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:30 pm
I'm going to say characters because if you have well developed characters a "normal" plot will be carried by the intricacies of the characters.
|
|
|
|
|
|
DemosthenesWord Vice Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 9:36 pm
For me it's really the portrayal of the environment, the personal universe of the book, so to speak. The more elaborate and well-thought out it is, the more I'll be sucked into the book.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 12:00 am
A tough question to answer, but I think well developed characters are quite important as well as unsuspecting plot twists.
Predictablilty is fine, just not all the time...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 12:54 am
I must say the characters, and how the caracters develop given the plot the author makes for them
I feel that any plot or setting can work as long as
A) the author is prepared to take time to develop the plot
B) the book has awesome characters
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 10:59 am
I think that the characters are most important to me. Good interaction between them and their development keeps the story alive and sucks you into it. But then again the plot is essential to the charater's growth and development, so it is important to.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 12:24 pm
In any books I read that are based on the "real world" (not sci-fi or fantasy) I'd have to say the interaction of the characters is my favorite part of the story. If there's a great plot with boring characters acting it out, I'll probably end up putting the book down and conveniently forgetting to pick it up.
Though in any other kind of book I'd have to say setting is the most important to me. I just absolutely love getting into the history, landscape, and creatures that are entirely different from my own. I'm a big video game nerd as well so I love the fact that in each book I read, about the environment (i.e. Warhammer) contributes a small bit to the huge world shared uniquely by each of these stories. So even if the book stinks, I at least get to come away with a bit more knowledge about that universe. It's kinda like history class but actually interesting!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 12:53 pm
Alright, it looks like plot and characterization win so far. Now for another question, what type of character do you find yourself favoring most in a story. I always seem to favor the Sirius Black type for lack of a better example. Good guy that helps the main characters while still trying to act the responsible adult.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 12:57 pm
The characters are the most important. I will read a completly awful story with good characters. I hate when the author goes into to much detail about the surroundings like Jean M. Auel does in The Earth's Children books, but her characters are so great I enjoy it even through my annoyance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 1:55 pm
I also find myself usually falling love with the minor, sometimes forgotten characters that pipe in every now and then and do their little part to help. It's fun to think of what little personal battles they're going through off the page while the main characters are saving the world. Guess that's why I enjoy fanfiction.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 7:55 pm
I don't know...let me think
I like characters with a great sense of humour. The more sarcastic they are the more I like them
I also cheer for underdogs!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
