A Goodreads user
asked
Jo Walton:
Hi Jo! I go to writing classes and they made us read "Among others". I really loved the book. So, the thing is that in class we are supposed to analyse your book and I have a question (maybe asking the author is like cheating, but who cares). The thing is, you mention a lot of SF books in the novel, but did you have any purpose doing that? I liked it, but I think it may throw some readers back. Thank you!
Jo Walton
Actually, that totally is cheating, and I'm not going to do your homework for you. You're being asked for your own guess as to why I did it, not my real reason, and your guess and your arguments for your guess is more valuable than anything I'd say.
That said, the one thing most often said about AO -- and you can see this for yourself if you read the reviews here on Goodreads -- is a variant of "I loved it, but the reasons I loved it are so idiosyncratic, so personal to me, that I don't know whether I can recommend it to other people." Really. This is THE most common response to the book, So when you say "I liked it but I think it may throw some readers back" well, sure, that could be, but maybe trust your own reactions?
(It still feels wild to me that books of mine could be set for class.)
That said, the one thing most often said about AO -- and you can see this for yourself if you read the reviews here on Goodreads -- is a variant of "I loved it, but the reasons I loved it are so idiosyncratic, so personal to me, that I don't know whether I can recommend it to other people." Really. This is THE most common response to the book, So when you say "I liked it but I think it may throw some readers back" well, sure, that could be, but maybe trust your own reactions?
(It still feels wild to me that books of mine could be set for class.)
More Answered Questions
Xena WP
asked
Jo Walton:
Subject: Sister(s) and My Sister, The Serial Killer Jo, you wrote so movingly of Morwenna missing her sister Mor in Among Others that I thought you must have or had at least one sister. Have you read and what are your sisterly thoughts about My Sister, The Serial Killer? Whether I would help a serial killing sister on which of them asked! Thanks! Xenawp
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