Which do you prefer with trilogies? - Page 4

HarryT · 08-01-2012, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tompe

An n-ology is essentially one book. A series is not one book.

Absolutely. Agatha Christie's "Miss Marple" novels are a series, for example, but each is a completely standalone book.

Jovvi · 08-01-2012, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Munch

Real books: Divided. Easier to hold the books, and its a psychological thing that I can see how far I have until the end. And I like book covers.
eBooks: One big file. Much easier.

This!

elemenoP · 08-01-2012, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tompe

An n-ology is essentially one book. A series is not one book.

Really? I always thought a trilogy is series that is complete at 3 books.

eP

rhadin · 08-01-2012, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Definitely all at once.

mbovenka · 08-01-2012, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elemenoP

Really? I always thought a trilogy is series that is complete at 3 books.

eP

No, tompe has it right. A trilogy (or n-logy for any N) is in essence a single story, where the books in a series are separate stories that share certain elements, most often protagonists.

At least, that's how I see it.

Sweetpea · 08-01-2012, 09:42 AM

If they are three books, with each its own start and ending (for example the Harry Potter series), I prefer separate books. If it's one book that has simply be cut in three because of its length, I want it as one book.

DiapDealer · 08-01-2012, 11:18 AM

I'd prefer that trilogies and series were the exception, rather than the rule in genre fiction—truth be told. But if you just can't trim the fat enough to fit it all into one book, then I'd have to vote for all at once... especially if it's all written already. I'm a reader, not a publisher, after all.

Covers; I don't give two hoots about. I may look at them once, but usually not at all.

Tattncat · 08-01-2012, 11:26 AM

All at once, if I can get it that way.

ramsey_isler · 08-01-2012, 03:36 PM

Assuming the entire story is complete, I'd prefer it one book.

With trilogies in progress, I prefer separate books. As an author I appreciate how long it takes to get a trilogy finished so I'm okay with reading the stories as they are completed. This is especially true for an author I really like - I'd rather have something to read rather than wait years for the whole set to be done

JSWolf · 08-01-2012, 04:40 PM

Actually, the thread on Goodreads/Library thing made me realize that we are better off with three separate books as you can track them better as separates then you can as an all-in-one.

So I'm changing my vote to three separates.

eskimo49 · 08-01-2012, 05:39 PM

I prefer them separate, in fact why stop at 3. In fact I've read several trilogies with 5 books in it (Hitchhikers Guide to Galaxy is one), and another (a real trilogy) with 3 sets of 3 (9 books in all). Stopping at 3 books can deprive the readers of sequels to the trilogy.

Freeshadow · 08-01-2012, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eskimo49

I prefer them separate, in fact why stop at 3. In fact I've read several trilogies with 5 books in it

That would be a quintology then.
Another case is when you have a series which can itself consist of n-ologies.
Eddings as author is a good example.

JSWolf · 08-01-2012, 10:34 PM

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series is a trilogy. Douglas Adams said so himself.

MikeB1972 · 08-02-2012, 05:54 AM

Yep, Even Eoin Colfer's addition was marketed as part 6 of 3.

CWatkinsNash · 08-02-2012, 12:56 PM

Since it's already finished, I vote for separate volumes for purely psychological reasons - I'm less likely to get bogged down while reading if I have a set of "stopping points". This has nothing to do with how much I'm enjoying it. I loved the Hunger Games - blew through all three books. But if I'd gotten the omnibus I probably would have stalled out along the way. There are a few authors from whom I can read doorstopper tomes (King is the obvious example) but those are the exception.

08-01-2012, 11:18 AM	#52
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,891 Karma: 207182180 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	I'd prefer that trilogies and series were the exception, rather than the rule in genre fiction—truth be told. But if you just can't trim the fat enough to fit it all into one book, then I'd have to vote for all at once... especially if it's all written already. I'm a reader, not a publisher, after all. Covers; I don't give two hoots about. I may look at them once, but usually not at all. Last edited by DiapDealer; 08-01-2012 at 11:50 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Great Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Who Never Wrote Sequels or Trilogies [io9]	taosaur	Reading Recommendations	12	07-27-2012 07:37 PM
Which of these books do you prefer	Enkidu of Abydos	General Discussions	54	03-29-2011 02:18 PM
Which of these books do you prefer	Enkidu of Abydos	Lounge	43	03-18-2011 09:21 PM
PRS-900 Which dictionary do you prefer?	Penforhire	Sony Reader	3	01-26-2010 11:10 AM
Two Trilogies on Kindle	koland	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	4	09-10-2009 02:33 AM

08-01-2012, 09:42 AM	#51
Sweetpea Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,707 Karma: 32763414 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Krewerd Device: Pocketbook Inkpad 4 Color; Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	If they are three books, with each its own start and ending (for example the Harry Potter series), I prefer separate books. If it's one book that has simply be cut in three because of its length, I want it as one book.

08-01-2012, 11:26 AM	#53
Tattncat Bookworm Posts: 673 Karma: 1029391 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Device: Nook Tablet, Samsung Galaxy Tab3, Sony PRS700, Sony PRS505	All at once, if I can get it that way.

08-01-2012, 03:36 PM	#54
ramsey_isler Enthusiast Posts: 36 Karma: 170392 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Los Angeles Device: Kindle	Assuming the entire story is complete, I'd prefer it one book. With trilogies in progress, I prefer separate books. As an author I appreciate how long it takes to get a trilogy finished so I'm okay with reading the stories as they are completed. This is especially true for an author I really like - I'd rather have something to read rather than wait years for the whole set to be done

08-01-2012, 04:40 PM	#55
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,782 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Actually, the thread on Goodreads/Library thing made me realize that we are better off with three separate books as you can track them better as separates then you can as an all-in-one. So I'm changing my vote to three separates.

08-01-2012, 05:39 PM	#56
eskimo49 Addict Posts: 263 Karma: 1492476 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Scotland Device: Kindle	I prefer them separate, in fact why stop at 3. In fact I've read several trilogies with 5 books in it (Hitchhikers Guide to Galaxy is one), and another (a real trilogy) with 3 sets of 3 (9 books in all). Stopping at 3 books can deprive the readers of sequels to the trilogy.

08-01-2012, 10:34 PM	#58
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,782 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series is a trilogy. Douglas Adams said so himself.

08-02-2012, 05:54 AM	#59
MikeB1972 Gnu Posts: 1,222 Karma: 15625359 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: UK Device: BeBook,JetBook Lite,PRS-300-350-505-650,+ran out of space to type	Yep, Even Eoin Colfer's addition was marketed as part 6 of 3.

08-02-2012, 12:56 PM	#60
CWatkinsNash IOC Chief Archivist Posts: 3,950 Karma: 53868218 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Fruitland Park, FL, USA Device: Meebook M7, Paperwhite 2021, Fire HD 8+, Fire HD 10+, Lenovo Tab P12	Since it's already finished, I vote for separate volumes for purely psychological reasons - I'm less likely to get bogged down while reading if I have a set of "stopping points". This has nothing to do with how much I'm enjoying it. I loved the Hunger Games - blew through all three books. But if I'd gotten the omnibus I probably would have stalled out along the way. There are a few authors from whom I can read doorstopper tomes (King is the obvious example) but those are the exception.