What is good fiction? A book that sits on the New York Best Seller List? A sensual love story? A thriller and page turner? A story that opens your eyes to the needs or plights of others? A chronicled heartfelt, relatable life event? An informational cultural experience or an adventurous travel story? A mythical memoir? A historically accurate novel? Or is it total fantasy? A good book is defined so differently by its readers, one wonders what people take away from the same experience. I guess that is partially why we share thoughts in book clubs. Everyone focuses on different elements in the material they cover or perhaps they just see the same material differently. And then there is the question of style….while some are simply satisfied with one major plot twist, engaging a character or two, others thrive on a sequence of twisted plot turns, involving numerous distinguishable characters whose lives stumble and turn, or weave webs of deceit and drama.
I have known impatient readers that just want dialogue with the least amount of descriptions or backgrounds so they can glide from one point to the next without delay. They even skip the lines they deem unnecessary.The other side of the coin are readers who want to know every little detail, soaking it up like a puddle on red clay. They need to engage their five senses to really connect. Immersing themselves in the descriptions and settings is their way of bonding to the characters. They “feel” the story as opposed to looking in and judging from the outside.
I have come to the realization that there is plenty of room for a plethora of unorthodox writing styles and takes on narratives. (Think Miranda July, Daniel Silva or JK Rowland.) The authors I personally enjoy reading run the gamut from mainstream to totally out there, but there is one aspect they all have in common; they each have a unique voice, a signature style.
In the end, we, the readers, may see things slightly differently and take what we personally need from the material, but hopefully we glean a positive experience, a pleasure the author intended us to have. There is no doubt that reading broadens horizons and makes us circumspect. It also gives us a zest for life. Losing an afternoon in a good book is time well spent. So, in short, a good book is whatever floats your boat.
On that note, let me introduce my debut novel, The Rogue Tangerine Tablet.