Befuddled

[ksmith]

So, a few nights ago I started reading the first in a series by an author I've never before read. Older though it is, the book is doing quite well, as is the entire series. Bestseller-quite well. It is to envy.

There are times when I read such books, and yeah, I understand even when I don't fall under the spell. Whether it's the characters, the undercurrents/atmosphere, or the twisty-turny plots, I can see why this work has engaged so many people and why it's doing well. More power to the author in question. As a storyteller, you don't need to nail it all. You just need to nail enough, and they succeeded.

But then there are times when I just don't get it. Characters, situations, descriptions, plot. Atmosphere. I know there has to be a pony in there somewhere, but damned if I can find it. And I've enjoyed this type of book before, so it's not a case of genre gap. It's just...zippo engagement. No moment, scene, or phrase that hooked me.

Read a few more chapters last night. Skipped to the end to see who did what. I don't know if I'll go back to read the rest. Not as long as there's Pratchett to reread.

What concerns me a little about this, though, is that I don't get why it works. I like to know why various books work because, well, it's good to know what works, especially in genres you'd like to explore yourself sometime.

Comments

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Sometimes, it may be subject matter and timing...

Past a certain point, sheer momentum takes over. Everyone that someone knows has read the book, so they read it so as not to be left out.

I wonder what it's like to kick over from mere bestseller to cultural phenomenon?

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Probably terrifying. Remember BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY...every book since then has sold less, last I heard.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Waller was a one-trick pony. It was just one hell of a trick.

Hope he invested wisely.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

Hope he invested wisely.

Indeed...