SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion
Members' Chat
>
A question about Prologues
date
newest »
newest »
I like them, but I wouldn't use them the way Ms. Watson does. As far as I can tell, the conventional reason for a prologue is to either create a hook or deliver a bunch of background that doesn't really fit into the main narrative. In each case, you could translate the word "prologue" as "Disclaimer: author realizes that this material could not be merged into the book proper, but felt that the reader would still want to read it." It may be analogous to the trailer or bonus material on a dvd.
I think prologues are overused these days. It used to be that very few books had prologues. Now, it seems like every book has one. Either they are set sometime in the past of the setting or one of the characters; or they hint at something that's going to happen later in the novel. Sometimes, they're good. Often, it would have been better just to work the elements of the prologue into the book itself.
I like prologues, especially if they serve a purpose. I almost never skip them. I do also think they are probably overused and should be ruthlessly cut out if the material can be included in a different fashion in the text.
A prologue is a good way of expressing something that doesn't fit the rest of the narrative: something that couldn't be said in the voice of the narrator of the rest of the book, or something that happens in a different time period. It can be challenging for the writer because it means you have two chances to lose the reader: one if they don't get hooked in the prologue, and another if they don't get hooked in the "real" beginning.
BunWat wrote: "I like epilogues. "I like epilogues too, unless they're just a set-up for a sequel. I hate when a book has a nice, satisfying ending and then the epilogue starts it all over again.
I am reading a book to be entertained. If the author felt a need for the prologue Then I read it. (except when it is just to catch you up on the story from precious book in series.In most cases it is not realy necessary. In some case it could just have been chapter 1. In others it provide info importent to the story but not actually part of the story.
Who cares .....
I read what the auther has provided.
I have read many books that did not need some element. a chapter or character could have been weeded out and the story would have been uneffected.
If it entertains me it has served its purpose. Its not about efficiency. I want the details and comments and eneffecincies. It is not interesting if it is "Just the facts mame"
Sandi wrote: "BunWat wrote: "I like epilogues. "I like epilogues too, unless they're just a set-up for a sequel. I hate when a book has a nice, satisfying ending and then the epilogue starts it all over again."
I love Epilogues, too. As I mentioned in the Fantasy discussion, for me, Epilogues are like the liqueur, coffee, and chocolates at the end of a really good dinner. I like to see proof that the happy ending I was promised is going to last.
Hear, Hear! to Sandi, though. An Epilogue that is a trailer for the sequel isn't much better than spam. I want to be fully satisfied when I close the book.
Best wishes,
Rowena Cherry
Amy wrote: "I like prologues, especially if they serve a purpose. I almost never skip them. I do also think they are probably overused and should be ruthlessly cut out if the material can be included in a d..."
Amy,
There's the rub. Often, the material cannot be included in the text. Working it in (in a natural seeming way) might either throw it too far back in the story, or it would take too much working in, or it will never fit "naturally" and will interrupt the flow of the action.
Susan Grant used a very clever Prologue device (I thought) at the beginning of My Favorite Earthling to communicate backstory. JK Rowling's Prologue --the scene with the Prime Minister and the Minister of Magic-- struck me as brilliant. In the parallel conversation, I mentioned Dan Brown's Prologue, which was a portent or warning to the reader that all was not as it seemed.
As fantasy author, i do recommend everyone to read epilogues because most of the times there reason why we write them. they're so helpful as in understanding of the whole book or a certain scenes in the book.However, on the other hand, there some which are helpless to your understanding of the story whether you read them or not, still you will keep turning the pages.
Author kim hanks of;
"Save the best for last"
A new fantasy release
The best prologue I've read in recent memory was for "Mistborn" by Brandon Sanderson. It gave me a sense of how dire the oppression was, the power of the elements, and completely hooked me into the story. As I read the novel, I had a stronger sense of tension building. I would say more, but do not want to spoil the book for anyone who has not read it. If you have not, pick it up, and take the time to read the prologue. It enhances the novel beautifully.
Hi everyone,This is a good question. Personally I never skip prologues. I believe the author generally has a very specific reason for including it, I know that it will become important at some point in the story. I usually prefer if the prologue is not lengthy, I am eager to dive into the main story, but either way I will read every word.
In the novel, I co-authored, we wrote a short prologue, but it is very important to the story. It is one of the most important aspects of the story, for a number of reasons. One of the main reasons is that our book has a double-storyline, the past & present intertwine throughout the book, each sheds light on the other. The prologue, which occurs in the past, kicks off the story. The reader will recognize later on in the story, what the prologue represented, and will see the events from other perspectives.
As an author, it's helpful to learn what people like/don't like in prologues. Good discussion! :)
Rai Aren, co-author of Secret of the Sands
Rai wrote As an author, it's helpful to learn what people like/don't like in prologues. I totally agree, Rai. The information I provide in my prologue to Griffin's Daughter is integral to understanding everything that happens in the main story. Because it takes place in the distant past and sets up the main conflict of the entire trilogy, I felt it worked best as a prologue.
Readers, don't skip these. To repeat what others have already said, we writers use the prologue as a very specific tool to help your understanding of the novel--at least that's what a well-written prologue is supposed to do!
As for epilogues--I like them best when they tie up loose threads. I really don't mind, though, if they set up a sequel, as long as I enjoyed the book enough to want more with those characters in that world. Now, if the author never gets around to writing that sequel, well then...
Like many others before me, I assume that the prologue is there for a reason and I just treat it as a chapter 1. I would not skip a chapter in a book, so I don't skip the prologue either, unless I realize that it's a "last week's episode" sort of thing.Interestingly, I'd never thought of them as separate from the rest of the book before this topic. I guess seeing them as a chapter 1 without a chapter title is strange, but that's what they've always been to me.
Sandi wrote: "I think prologues are overused these days. It used to be that very few books had prologues. Now, it seems like every book has one. Either they are set sometime in the past of the setting or one ..."You summed up my points Sandi - I think they are overused.
Laurel wrote: "The best prologue I've read in recent memory was for "Mistborn" by Brandon Sanderson. It gave me a sense of how dire the oppression was, the power of the elements, and completely hooked me into th..."Interesting because it was actually this book that promoted the question - Both myself and Husband read the book - I read the Prologue he did not.
My biggest complaint about prologues is when they're too long. For example, as my husband was reading some of the Wheel of Time books, I was appalled to hear that some of the prologues were 70ish pages long! Geez! Turn it into a chapter already! (Or five chapters.) I think that if the subject or format of the prologue is both substantively different from the rest of the book and important, then a prologue is a good thing. Like some of the examples people already mentioned--different point of view, past information, etc. I think if it's just a recap, you should either weave it into the story or add it as an appendix or something, like in Mistborn. (Although I have to gently mock Sanderson for the extensiveness of his back matter for his books.)
The phrase "It's too long" is one of the most often heard phrases in regards to Wheel of Time in general.I agree though, there's a point at which the prologue should just become the beginning of the book and it's no longer just setting the stage and letting you into the world, but actually narrating the events of the story.
It's a hard call, because some things can be, substance-wise, prologue, but long enough that it takes up a lot of the book.
Even though I don't like them I do read them but I was discussing this with my husband and daughter - across the room from me while I type this and they both said they skip them.
Was wondering what others do about them...