Neil Gaiman on Libraries and Reading

[QuantumIguana]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

I don't worry so much about that kind of thing. Satire wouldn't work if it weren't for the over-characterisation, but then it depends on the story. In a serious story, people shouldn't behave like characters, although I've known some people over the years that make me rethink that opinion.

There might be some occasions where the it is useful for the characters to be cartoonish, but generally, it's distracting and weakens the story. It induces far too much eye-rolling. Gaiman's characters seem like the could exist, even if the situation could not.