Quote:
Originally Posted by crich70
It is possible that the 'storytelling gene' or 'voice' of a particular book just doesn't resonate with a given reader as well. I once tried to read "The Great Gatsby" and just couldn't get into the story. Does that mean that F. Scott Fitzgerald doesn't have talent? Hardly. His books are still read by many I'm sure. I'm just not one of them. Just as some people will get the punch line of a joke and others just look bewildered. A book that captures my interest may or may not capture the interest of someone who I either recommend it to or who sees my review at say Goodreads or Amazon. I think the reader's ability to visualize what the author intended (while they read a book) is not only just a matter of a good imagination, but also of them being on the same wavelength if you will as the author. I have no siblings and so can't entirely understand what it's like to grow up with other kids in the same house and contrary wise someone who had siblings growing up can't really entirely understand what it's like to be an only child and likewise sometimes our view of the world meshes with the author's view and sometimes it doesn't. If it does we are more likely to enjoy the story and if not then we may not enjoy it as much or may even put the book down and find something else to read.
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I'm not trying to say that anyone who has the storyteller gene writes books that everyone enjoys, just that there is a noticeable different between someone who has the talent and someone who doesn't. Of course, I suspect that someone with the talent (and desire) can probably do just as well writing in various genres. Are JK Rowling's mystery books as readable as her Harry Potter books? Certainly they aren't the big hit that the Harry Potter books are, but I can't say that I've read her mystery books. Perhaps I should try it just to see. There are other authors who seem to be able to move between genres. To a certain extent, I would compare this to acting. Some actors can move between roles quite easily, others have trouble doing so.