![]() |
#16 |
Bookmaker & Cat Slave
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 11,468
Karma: 158448243
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Device: K2, iPad, KFire, PPW, Voyage, NookColor. 2 Droid, Oasis, Boox Note2
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Wizard
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 3,003
Karma: 18346231
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Sudbury, ON, Canada
Device: PRS-505, PB 902, PRS-T1, PB 623, PB 840, PB 633
|
The biggest problem for me is when the same character says two things in a row, not in the same paragraph, without attribution in the second one. That always puts the brakes on my reading flow.
|
![]() |
![]() |
Advert | |
|
![]() |
#18 | |
Wizard
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 2,776
Karma: 30081762
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: US
Device: ALL DEVICES ARE STOCK: Kobo Clara, Tolino Shine 2, Sony PRS-T3, T1
|
Quote:
I once read a book (don't remember now what book it was) where that happened frequently. It was really confusing. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 |
Connoisseur
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 59
Karma: 1121282
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: New Jersey
Device: Kindle and Nook
|
Re: dialogue without tags, I recently re-read The Sun Also Rises, the novel published in 1926 that launched Hemingway's career, if not the American Macho genre, and was struck by the modern feel of his dialogue. Not only was it clear (usually) who was speaking without tags, the avoidance of excessive use of "said," the most deadly of flow-killers, also worked. (Disclaimer: I am no fan of bull fighting, which has no place in a civilized society.)
- Alyssa |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 |
cacoethes scribendi
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 5,809
Karma: 137770742
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Australia
Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650
|
When I read The Sun Also Rises a couple of years ago I had trouble finding anything good to say about it, most especially the dialogue. But I realise now that there is something: I was never confused about who was speaking. So thanks for that.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Advert | |
|
![]() |
#21 |
Connoisseur
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 59
Karma: 1121282
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: New Jersey
Device: Kindle and Nook
|
I'm really not a fan either, but it does seem Hemingway's influence on modern writing style has been enormous. As to The Sun Also Rises, just as distasteful as the bull fighting is the liberal use of the n-word and not so subtle antisemitism, which apparently did not raise any eyebrows at the time. More generally, the shallowness and dissolution of the characters is depressing, although the last couple of chapters were well done and for me saved the book (as did all too few humorous and insightful snippets here and there).
- Alyssa |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#22 |
Grand Sorcerer
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 27,718
Karma: 196949708
Join Date: Jan 2010
Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD
|
I find over-attribution more annoying than too little attribution in dialogue. If the author's not good enough at written dialogue to keep things clear without a a lot of "Bob said; John expounded; Alice wheedled"s being interjected, then adding them isn't likely to keep me reading either. Quite the opposite, in fact. If individual characters' voices can't be distinguished without constant prompting, then the author/book usually isn't for me.
McCormac's non-use of traditional conversational punctuation is a bit extreme for my taste, but it never really caused me any confusion. It's not the lack of punctuation that keeps me away from his books--in fact his characters' voices are quite distinct without it, in my opinion. I just can't connect with any of them. Last edited by DiapDealer; 07-07-2020 at 11:54 AM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#23 |
Connoisseur
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 59
Karma: 1121282
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: New Jersey
Device: Kindle and Nook
|
I think what suckered me into The Road was a tout by Oprah Winfrey; about the same time I believe she extolled a book at least some of which later turned out to be made up. If she recommends a book, run, don't walk, to the nearest door (just my opinion).
- Alyssa |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#24 | |
Bookmaker & Cat Slave
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 11,468
Karma: 158448243
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Device: K2, iPad, KFire, PPW, Voyage, NookColor. 2 Droid, Oasis, Boox Note2
|
Quote:
On the aforementioned bullfighting--to me, "bullfighting" is simply cruelty with applause. Hitch |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#25 | |
Grand Sorcerer
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 27,718
Karma: 196949708
Join Date: Jan 2010
Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD
|
Quote:
![]() I enjoyed reading A Million Little Pieces. And I determined there was very little incentive for me to go to all the bother of "un-enjoying" it after learning it wasn't strictly autobiographical. I understand why so many might have been upset, but I've always viewed the label of "Memoir" (as opposed to autobiography) as an author's way of being able to hedge on reality a bit. Much like "narrative non-fiction." Even before the news broke, I had my doubts as to whether Frey's book was 100% non-fiction. Hell, I even bought and read the follow-up (and enjoyed it, too!) knowing full well it wasn't exactly gospel truth. ![]() Last edited by DiapDealer; 07-07-2020 at 12:13 PM. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#26 |
Connoisseur
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 59
Karma: 1121282
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: New Jersey
Device: Kindle and Nook
|
Your points are well made. I should not have in effect prejudged the book without having read it.
- Alyssa |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#27 |
Wizard
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 1,029
Karma: 12018368
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Canada
Device: Sony PRS-650, Kobo Clara
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#28 | |
Grand Sorcerer
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 27,718
Karma: 196949708
Join Date: Jan 2010
Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD
|
Quote:
![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#29 | |
o saeclum infacetum
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 20,445
Karma: 224000000
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: New England
Device: H2O, Aura One, PW5
|
Quote:
I loved Angela’s Ashes, a wonderful memoir, but at this remove I can’t remember if there was anything hinky with the punctuation. I didn’t like his subsequent memoirs nearly as much, which is not atypical for me. Evelyn Waugh in a letter said something about how everyone’s got a good memoir of their childhood in them, and I’ve found that to be true more often than not. leading to disappointment when the story continued. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#30 | |
Bookmaker & Cat Slave
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posts: 11,468
Karma: 158448243
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Device: K2, iPad, KFire, PPW, Voyage, NookColor. 2 Droid, Oasis, Boox Note2
|
Quote:
What's the one I'm thinking of? The Crossing? Sugar... Now I'll have to go rummage though my bookcase to find it, or on my list. Sorry! Hitch |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
![]() |
||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Free 16 & 17 June: Reclaim Me! A Plea From Jesus Christ to His Followers | grroberts | Self-Promotions by Authors and Publishers | 3 | 06-16-2012 05:45 AM |
Goodreads - Last Minute Plea | GA Russell | News | 50 | 02-01-2012 08:59 AM |
Touch A Plea to Kobo | PeterT | Kobo Reader | 41 | 09-02-2011 05:07 PM |
Calling Writers and even Non-writers-yet... Let's Make a Zine | jeremy_ahn | Writers' Corner | 3 | 10-08-2009 09:49 AM |