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
J.A. Ironside
asked
Jo Walton:
Hi, I just wanted to ask how you came up with the concept for the fairies in 'Among Others'? They are both intangible and yet as real as every other character in the book. What made you think of them the way you've depicted them there? (Absolutely loved the book by the way!)
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