Lori
asked
Chris Bohjalian:
Hi Chris, I'm seeing a lot of good reviews you've given in my home feed, so I have to ask- what do you think makes a bad book (before I write one!)? I admit, I read everything- all genres- but I only think one book in twenty is good.
Chris Bohjalian
Hi, Lori. When I don't enjoy a book, I simply don't post a review here on Goodreads. I only share the ones I liked or I thought were very good, even if they were not my cup of tea. What makes a bad book? John Gardner, that great teacher of writing (The Art of Fiction) and a terrific novelist and short story writer himself, said there were two ways to wake a reader from the fictional dream: clumsiness (bad writing) and inauthenticity (bad research). I can think of a few other reasons, but those two are the principal ones. Thanks for asking -- and good luck with your own writing!
More Answered Questions
Dee
asked
Chris Bohjalian:
I had the hardest time finding your book, Past the Bleachers? Goodreads only has one edition on it's list for the book and that is the one I have found. I know it was published in 1992, I did find it at an online used bookstore after I waited for a edition to come in. I am starting to read it today. I have your newest "The Sleepwalker" on hold at the library, can't wait.
Linda
asked
Chris Bohjalian:
Why didn't we ask our grandparents before it was too late? My grandparents who escaped the death march never talked about it. The horrors were too vivid. Years after my grandfather died, I found out that he & all the villagers were locked in a church and the Turks burned it down. He was the only one who escaped. My Grandmother had 1 family portrait, how did she keep that on the death march? Why didn't we ask?
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