How important is character-driven story-telling to you?

[Eduardo]

First a confession: I think I'm getting old. Too old to be tantalized and kept on the hook with a mere string of spills and thrills. Yes, I still enjoy fast paced, danger-filled stories, but if I don't care for the characters, or if the characters fail to come across as real people, soon my eyes glaze over.

I'm having that experience with a thriller that is jam-packed with action, but in which the characters feel like cogs and silver spheres in a pinball machine. Nothing that happens really makes sense in terms of who they are. The protagonist is an amazing kick-butt chick that strains credibility in her near perfection--except when she's making poor choices the narrative praises her for.

At some level I can still enjoy such a story... in the same way I enjoy skimming frosting from a cake. But it doesn't satisfy for long, and certainly not in any deep sense.

Anyone else out there feeling that way? Or do you rather find thrillers and mysteries that expose us to true, flawed yet admirable people boring and not on point for the genre?

Eduardo Suastegui
Story-telling that captures the heart

[Shomeret]

I want characterization in mysteries and thrillers, but it needs to be integrated with the plot. I have seen a number of mysteries in which the mystery cases don't start until page one hundred or even later because the author is building the background of the characters. I really don't prefer that. Actually, the most effective way to integrate building character with action is first person narrative. That way we get the thoughts of the central character as he or she is experiencing the action.

[BarryP]

A character who fits the plot can make for pleasant reading, but often it is in the breaking of the mold that true greatness is found.
I generally will not enjoy a book if I do not warm to the characters.

[Dan in AZ]

I read about bad characters; I live the plot with good ones.

[Eduardo]

Shomeret wrote: "I want characterization in mysteries and thrillers, but it needs to be integrated with the plot. I have seen a number of mysteries in which the mystery cases don't start until page one hundred or e..."

Well-stated point. The action needs to get going from word one. And none of that ponderous back-story, either. Show me the character through what they do and how they interact with their challenges.

Eduardo Suastegui
Story-telling that captures the heart

[Carol/Bonadie]

Eduardo, examples help me think this through. I read a variety of mystery/thrillers, from your cog-in-the-wheel plots to the seriously character driven plots, and can enjoy them all, but the ones that stay with me are the latter. Tana French, Greg Iles and Thomas H. Cook are three authors who come to mind.

[LizH]

Eduardo, I feel the same you do...whether it is a mystery, romance or general fiction, if the characters are not well developed or have no way endeared themselves to me, I could care less about the mystery, or the plot or the twists.

I too feel like as I get older my tastes have changed. I used to delve into every mystery, loving that they were super fast paced and satisfying. But now I like a careful balance between mystery, character and plot.

[Ann]

I'll vote for balance as Liz mentioned, to enjoy a book I must find some connection to the characters so that I can explore motivations and the impact of actions. Pure action thrillers often seem more like movie screen plays. I do not prefer those.
In my opinion a skilled writer draws out the characters, even peripheral ones so that we understand them by the end of the book (or think we do)

[Eduardo]

Carol - Thanks for those recommendations

Liz & Ann - Yes, balance is important. Too heavy on the character side without a strong concept driving the action--and there must be action.

Eduardo Suastegui
Story-telling that captures the heart

[Carol/Bonadie]

I also will make a distinction between characters that endear themselves to me and characters with whom I find a connection. I have actually enjoyed books where I didn't like any of the major characters, (Gone Girl, Defending Jacob), and not even sure I could say where I felt a connection, but I did, enough to keep reading.

[LizH]

Carol, that's funny because I hated both those books and I attribute that to the fact that I didn't like the characters!!

[Michael]

Identifying with the characters can make a huge difference in my response to a book. I just finished Blue Heaven by C.J. Box. The story has been told many times before, but what made this book so satisfying was the attachment I developed with the chapters in the story. By the time I got done, I was fully invested.

[Mary Jo]

I liked the book, Gone Girl, but thought the movie lagged.

[Ann]

Mary Jo; I haven't seen the movie yet. I plan to; so much good hockey to watch right now I don't have the time to get to any of the movies I have missed. Character development is usually superior in a book, the movies are often best when the music or scenery or costumes or just the spot on acting in a role stands out. (For me anyway) if the movie helps me revisit a favorite place from a book I am happy. Not sure that Gone Girl will have that effect.
Mary Jo wrote: "I liked the book, Gone Girl, but thought the movie lagged."

[Mary Jo]

My thoughts about the movie: Ben Affleck is a movie star not a character actor. I think Gillian Flynn was skating on thin ice toward the end of the book but she pulled it off. The conclusion of the movie was rushed and unconvincing. I'll be interested in your reaction to the movie version. Mary Jo

[Donnajo]

I like balance and agree with most.

[Mary Jo]

Character is everything for me, both in my favorite books and the mysteries I write.