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Do you only like to read about people like you?
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Mary
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Feb 09, 2017 05:13AM
Lately, I've found myself drawn to novels about people sort of like me. I'm wondering, Is my world view shrinking? Is this the same as only watching/reading news that reiterates my point of view. Eek.
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Mary wrote: "Lately, I've found myself drawn to novels about people sort of like me. I'm wondering, Is my world view shrinking? Is this the same as only watching/reading news that reiterates my point of view. Eek."I think that the only answer is "It depends." Sometimes it is comforting. However (and, again, it depends) ... it can display a huge amount of privilege if there are massive numbers of choices out there that allow one to only read about people like themselves, where others' choices are limited.
My two cents. YMMV.
Love your two cents. But, not sure what you mean about limited choices. Is it that there aren't novels written about all sorts of people?
I find that I like the diversity that reading affords me unlike a lot of TV shows and movies. I am fascinated by how different characters are and are shown to react. I do not find most of the characters in the books that I read to be very much like me at all and I am frankly not interested in them being like me. You may just be withdrawing a bit from the chaos of the real world but I wouldn't worry too much about it unless it gets worse or goes on for too long. We all need our comfort food - even if it is just intellectual.
Intellectual comfort food. Fantastic image!
I don't expect all novels to be about people like me, but occasionally it would be nice.My own novel is neither autobiographical nor is the heroine a Mary Sue, but she does have a disability which is life-changing - or is it?
Because diversity includes disability, though people often forget. And, while you'll never be a different ethnicity than you were born, disability can hit at any age.
I believe that the more message there is in a story, the better the entertainment value must be, so these stories are harder to write on several fronts. But well worth it.
Alicia wrote: "I don't expect all novels to be about people like me, but occasionally it would be nice.My own novel is neither autobiographical nor is the heroine a Mary Sue, but she does have a disability whic..."
It could be that authors don't feel comfortable writing about disabilities unless they have one themselves. A lot of haters out there are quick to judge you if you write about something that you haven't experienced.
I know that I wouldn't know how to express a character's feelings about their disability unless I spent a lot of time talking to someone who would know about it. I'll have to give that some thought.
What a boring world this would be if everyone severely restricted their personal knowledge, philosophy, and viewpoint by reading only those novels in which the characters closely resembled them personally or only associating with those who usually agreed with them in thought, word, and deed.
Jim wrote: "What a boring world this would be if everyone severely restricted their personal knowledge, philosophy, and viewpoint by reading only those novels in which the characters closely resembled them per..."Totally agree, Jim. I think it all happens slowly...you read a book you like, buy the next one from that same author, read others that are similar to the book you originally liked, etc. Before you know it, your bookshelf is full of female authors! hahaha You've inspired me to expand my world view. Maybe Sci Fi (gasp) or a manly spy thriller with lots of hardware.
Good grief no! Old WASPS hold no interest at all
Definitely not! The more different, the better.
It depends on what I'm going for. If I'm looking for comfort, or introspection "yes". Maybe not exactly like me physically, but familiar experiences. If I'm looking for adventure, or adrenaline rush "no". Plus the biggest thrill about reading for me sometimes is to be inside the head of someone completely different. If we share the same worldview, it defeats the purpose.
Paganalexandria wrote: "It depends on what I'm going for. If I'm looking for comfort, or introspection "yes". Maybe not exactly like me physically, but familiar experiences. If I'm looking for adventure, or adrenaline rus..."Absolutely agree, Paganalexandria. I like a variety of types of reads and perspectives. I rarely want anything that's too familiar though.
I've been doing some review swaps through groups here on Goodreads recently, and it's definitely a good way to get yourself away from the same old, same old.You have to read the books available in whatever group/thread you decide to use, and most of the time you're not going to find one that fits snugly into your comfort zone.
For example, the one I'm reading now features a hot-tempered female (well, an alien female) protagonist who's telepathic and telekinetic and kicks a lot of ass. I, of course, am male, and I haven't kicked any ass since that gym fight in fifth grade.
Jane wrote: "Good grief no! Old WASPS hold no interest at all"hahahaha. Now, I'd LOVE to read a novel about an old wasp!
Honestly, I like books and I like characters of all kinds. So no I don't like to read about characters like me nor do I mind. I love story and figuring out what the character is going to do and being surprised.
I think if I read about characters like me I would be horrified. I am a very strange individual (at least that is what my kids tell me) so I am waiting to find a character that is truly like me. I find characters with bits and pieces that are similar to me but never truly like me. I love reading a wide variety of books so the characters do not have to be like me.
I like to relate to the characters I read about, because that can help me "transfer" myself into the book and understand how the characters must feel. But I don't necessary think that the characters need to be like me, but it would be amazing to find one.
Mari Aurora wrote: "I like to relate to the characters I read about, because that can help me "transfer" myself into the book and understand how the characters must feel. But I don't necessary think that the character..."Ah, yes...relatability. The bane of every writer's existence. Can your readers RELATE?? It's up there with the question of likability. Will your readers LIKE your main character? Those two have always stumped me. Who wants to read about nice people all the time?
This great discussion has helped me crystalize what type of characters I actually like to read: REAL ones. Complex. Human. Imperfect. Not always nice. Rarely really mean. Hey, a lot like me. :)
Thanks, everyone, for the eye-opener!
"Ah, yes...relatability. The bane of every writer's existence. Can your readers RELATE?? It's up there with the question of likability. Will your readers LIKE your main character? Those two have always stumped me. Who wants to read about nice people all the time?"Like you, I want to read about interesting characters, not bland noble beings who rescue puppies from burning buildings and always help old ladies cross the street.
Isn't the whole point of literature to experience different realities and delve into different minds? I don't think it's fun - or very enlightening - to just splash around in the kiddie pool.
Matt wrote: ""Ah, yes...relatability. The bane of every writer's existence. Can your readers RELATE?? It's up there with the question of likability. Will your readers LIKE your main character? Those two have al..."It's not that I have to like or relate to every character read. My thing is knowing the disconnect was done purposely by the writer. Don't have every other character propping up a character as being this wonderful paragon, when every action actual comes off selfish, or obnoxious.
Matt wrote: ""Ah, yes...relatability. The bane of every writer's existence. Can your readers RELATE?? It's up there with the question of likability. Will your readers LIKE your main character? Those two have al..."Who doesn't want to read about puppies? :)
Paganalexandria wrote: "Matt wrote: ""Ah, yes...relatability. The bane of every writer's existence. Can your readers RELATE?? It's up there with the question of likability. Will your readers LIKE your main character? Thos..."Interesting point, Pagan. Yet, in the hands of a good writer, the "blindness" of other characters could be telling in a number of intriguing ways, no?
