Discussion: Prose versus story
When you’re reading a book how much does the quality of the prose determine your enjoyment of the book? If the story is compelling do you mind if the prose is so-so? Or do both the story and the prose have to be of a certain level for you to call the book good? What if it’s the opposite. The prose is excellent, but the story not so much.
Also, how does hype play into your response to a book? For example, if you heard a book was a wonderful love story and in your reading you find the love story not to your liking does that ruin the book for you? If you had started the book expecting something different would you have liked it better?
These are the questions going through my head as I reflect on the last book I just read. If you saw the post from last week where I was debating finishing a book, well I finished it and will write about my opinion. But before I do, I’m analyzing my thoughts to determine if I’m being to harsh on the book. Would love your input!
May 10, 2012 - 10:20 AM
Ideally, a book will have both a compelling story and be well-written. If I can have one but not the other, I think my preference is for quality prose; I’ve read through many a formulaic mystery novel because the writing made it easy (even pleasurable) for me to keep going from one sentence to the next, while on the other hand I’ve set aside books because the author seemed to be showing off how artful and stylistic their writing could be. (Buy me a beer and let me expound upon my loathing for Savages by Don Winslow, for example.)
Hype tends to trigger a knee-jerk reaction in me, unfortunately: the more hyped a book or author is, the more likely I am to hate it (or them). I think the last book I read the merited the hype was Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall, and I am trying very hard not to get too wound up about Bring Up the Bodies because I really, really don’t want to be let down by it, either because of my own expectations or the hype over it.
(Now I’m really curious to find out what book you’ve been reading.)
Laura, I’ll try to get the post up in a day or two, and I’ll reveal the book then.
A good writer can make up for a lot. A good or compelling story can too. I prefer a good writer and when I can get both I consider that a coup.
I know that some people love those who “wax poetic” and offer grandiose prose, but all I need is for you to tell the story well. Some seem to forget that.