So if I write a book about blind people flying spaceships it'll be a turn-off just because I think it would be amazingly wicked cool to fly a spaceship? <g> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shannon" <shannon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <bookshare-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Sunday, June 22, 2008 10:40 PM Subject: [bookshare-discuss] Re: In your opinion, what makes a book bad.
For me, a book is bad when it's obvious that the author is using the story to live out some of his or her own fantasies. Sometimes I can forgive this--I get the impression much of Spider Robinson's work consists of really cool things good old Spider wishes he could do or experience in real life, and yet I love his books. But then, well, there was an ebook I recently had to review in which a medium encounters the ghost of a Civil War soldier and among other things they have hot, passionate sex. This is not so bad unless you consider the fact that, surprise, surprise, the author herself is a medium who actually channeled the Civil War soldier ghost. The author was not particularly happy when I pointed out in my review that this made her look, um, less than sane.I also have little patience for stupid plots. Another book I reviewed, also an erotic romance, involved the heroine mistaking the hero's law office for the escort service down the hall. Which might have been funny if you like wacky hijinks, but I didn't understand why the hero, if he was such an honorable man, which we are told over and over that he is, wouldn't simply tell the heroine, "Uh, look, you want the guys down the hall, but you're hot and I'll date you anyway."Then there was Lolita. I didn't see the social satire, and I got really tired of reading Humbert Humbert's excuses. He was a pedophile. I don't care how much Lolita supposedly tempted him, he was the grown-up in the relationship, and he should darn well have known better.Shannon At 07:19 PM 6/22/2008, Bob wrote:We often discuss books we've read and enjoyed: and that's how it should be.However, I'm just curious about what makes a book not click for you.I think for me, part of the thing that makes a book not work is it's unbelievability factor. If the author gives his/her protagonist ancient powers that materialize right at the point where they are needed to enhance the plot's development. Kind of like the shoes that Dorthy uses to get out of Oz. That's usually where I throw the book down in disgust and go watch fox tv, or something.What's your "watch fox tv" breaking point? Bob "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."--Margaret Mead No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG.Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 270.4.1/1512 - Release Date: 6/21/2008 9:27 AMTo unsubscribe from this list, send a blank Email to bookshare-discuss-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Put the word 'unsubscribe' by itself in the Subject line. To get a list of available commands, put the word 'help' by itself in the subject line.
To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank Email to bookshare-discuss-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Put the word 'unsubscribe' by itself in the Subject line. To get a list of available commands, put the word 'help' by itself in the subject line.
