Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I can identify a character with someone I knew. In the Stephen King novel "The Green Mile" there is an awful character named Percy Wetmore, a truly horrible nasty mean spirited human being who is a prison guard in the story. He remind me so much of a guy I knew only briefly(fortunately!) in the military. When I read the book and King''s description of the character, I immediately thought: that's ______. It was uncanny the personality resemblance.
I not only identify with a character in my books, but I become that character as I read..Seeing , feeling and experiencing everything involving that character.
I always told my children and now my grandchildren to enjoy reading you have to put yourself in the shoes of your favorite character and see the things as he sees them..
I can't involve myself so much with a character in a movie or a tv show..Although I may thoroughly enjoy what I am watching I am unable to involve myself any more than showing emotions such as tears or laughter and sometimes fright.
I don't understand how anyone could read a book and not relate, somehow, to the characters. To read a book so nonchalantly is like having the tv on in the background just for the noise. What's the point?
I think Miss Blue responded perfectly. That's exactly how I feel, too.
I don't understand how anyone could read a book and not relate, somehow, to the characters. To read a book so nonchalantly is like having the tv on in the background just for the noise. What's the point?
I think Miss Blue responded perfectly. That's exactly how I feel, too.
If it is a well written piece, I will be riveted even if the characters are not like me at all. It is not the same as ignoring what is going on in the book/story.
It must have to do with why people read to begin with. Personally, I want to relate to the characters. I want to feel like I'm there and part of the experience. Reading has always been very personal to me. I've never been a "casual" reader, or read for a momentary distraction or to pass the time. It's always an adventure. And, sometimes, like a vacation.
That has to be why it's hard for me to understand where you're coming from. I don't think you're wrong, or odd, or any of those things. It's just a foreign concept for me. If I had to choose between books, TV or movies for the rest of my life, books would win, hands down. Heck, I don't even have a TV! And I rarely ever go to the movies. (Maybe once every two years?)
It must have to do with why people read to begin with. Personally, I want to relate to the characters. I want to feel like I'm there and part of the experience. Reading has always been very personal to me. I've never been a "casual" reader, or read for a momentary distraction or to pass the time. It's always an adventure. And, sometimes, like a vacation.
That has to be why it's hard for me to understand where you're coming from. I don't think you're wrong, or odd, or any of those things. It's just a foreign concept for me. If I had to choose between books, TV or movies for the rest of my life, books would win, hands down. Heck, I don't even have a TV! And I rarely ever go to the movies. (Maybe once every two years?)
I've gone most of my adult life without TV, although I will have to admit I am a film buff. Not sure with that has to deal with why I read or if you are implying something about me. If you read because you want to relate to the characters, that's fine. It is not unlike someone who can enjoy a movie for the special effects more than any other component, that's cool if that's what you enjoy the most. Just your comment about why bother reading, its like having a television on in the background seems very condescending.
If a character happens to go through something similar to something I went through, I will probably take note and react a bit differently but I fail to see why this is necessary for me to read or enjoy it, or why it reflects poorly or well on the writing itself. In my experience, a very interesting story and/or character(s) are often people living on the fringe or in ways I am unfamiliar.
I've gone most of my adult life without TV, although I will have to admit I am a film buff. Not sure with that has to deal with why I read or if you are implying something about me. If you read because you want to relate to the characters, that's fine. It is not unlike someone who can enjoy a movie for the special effects more than any other component, that's cool if that's what you enjoy the most. Just your comment about why bother reading, its like having a television on in the background seems very condescending.
If a character happens to go through something similar to something I went through, I will probably take note and react a bit differently but I fail to see why this is necessary for me to read or enjoy it, or why it reflects poorly or well on the writing itself. In my experience, a very interesting story and/or character(s) are often people living on the fringe or in ways I am unfamiliar.
To clarify, I wasn't implying anything about you (or anyone else) at all and I wasn't trying to be condescending. I clearly stated that the reasons you read aren't wrong or odd at all. I merely mentioned that I find it hard to relate to your reasons since mine are so different. No better. No worse. That's how it is in life with any subject because people are different. No implications. No hidden meanings. Just a simple observation.
My comments about TV and movies were merely my opinions about how I feel about them compared to reading. It was a comparison to emphasize how much I enjoy reading. I would choose books over TV or movies.
I identify or like characters very strongly when I read. If I can't get into the characters, I don't like the book.
Sometimes it is disturbing. I don't know if anyone here ever read Nelson DeMille's Cathedral. It's a great story, although it was written in the 1980's and involved the IRA so it's a little dated now. The premise of the story is that an IRA faction takes over St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan and holds hostages. The disturbing part is that my favorite character in the book is Leary, a demented Vietnam vet psychopath sniper sitting in the choir loft picking off whomever he can.
I don't care about identifying with characters, and it seems to me that if that's important to people, they're going to miss out on a lot of good books.
I don't care about identifying with characters, and it seems to me that if that's important to people, they're going to miss out on a lot of good books.
How so? Relating to characters isn't my number one objective but it sure adds to the enjoyment of a novel.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
