Digging
deeper into my shelves. Have you ever noticed that a person’s
bookshelves are kind of like an archeological dig into their lives? Most
people will keep one or two (or twelve) childhood keepsakes around. But
then...as they get older...people will hang onto more and more random
books. These are the interesting ones. These are the ones that
distinguish the evil geniuses from the fluffy bunnies.
Even
before I started referring to myself as a “writer” I would gravitate
toward books with complex characters. Books with characters that didn’t
have stuff just handed to them on silver platters all the time. I like
books where the ending isn’t always sparkly and unicorns (even if there
are unicorns in it..). If it’s the right ending. I like it when the characters have to work for what they have. And I especially enjoy characters that are flawed and challenged. Characters that have a past.
It was because of these types of characters that I stopped being a 'passive' reader and started taking notice of the intricacies of the story itself. Specifically character development.
One
of the first books that I read like this, and will always have a place
on my bookshelf, is "Ender’s Game" by Orson Scott Card. I cannot imagine
the holy hell it must have been trying to get this book published. It’s
not YA. Oh no. Not by a long shot. But the MC is a kid. But he’s a wise
kid. And the subject matter isn’t kids stuff. Though they deal with it
in a very child-like way at times. Ender isn’t perfect. He isn’t some
know it all King Arthur type. But...things go his way, after a fashion. But the mind games played to get there?
The first time I read this book I
truly started to see what a flawed character could be. One with issues
that could still be trusted to save the day. Though, save the day for
whom?
So. What books are on your shelf that tweaked your brain as a writer? What made you sit up and take notice for the first time?
6 comments:
The Thorn Birds. I'm not sure it was the first book that made me take notice, but it's one I always think of when this question is asked.
A book that really makes me cringe at some of the decisions made by the main character is The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. You want him to do the right things, you want things to turn out right, but you know he makes major mistakes.
I adored Ender's Game. Completely. It still has an honored place on my shelves. I'm currently reading Joe Abercrombies The First Law Trilogy and holy crap, talk about flawed characters! I wasn't wild about them when I started but they grew on me - along with the superb writing. Highly recommended.
I've never read this...it was a book on several college book lists, but somehow I never did read it. So many books! So little time!
Indeed...Kvothe is one deeply flawed dude. But man...that Rothfuss can write.
I looked these up on B&N. Now..even MORE books to read/borrow!
I managed to convert a few people to sci-fi by 'lending' them Ender's Game. :) Never a bad way to lose a book...
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