how slow is too slow for a book?
Oct 27, 2022 4:34 pm
Dear reader,
I'm a wide reader. Meaning I read all types of genres (except horror). If a book is recommended, I'll give it a go. I harbor no thoughts of ill-will to any genre except that I can't take horror. Personally.
So when my French teacher decided we would read The Shadow of the Wind in French, I was all for it. I had never read Carlos Ruiz Zafrón before, but that didn't matter.
Right, away I fell in love with the book and started recommending it to my husband's family. Who of course had read it (The writer is Spanish so this book was well-known to everyone in Spain.)
But while I love this book, it made me think of my question for you this week: how slow is too slow for you? How fast is too fast? I mean, talking books. Not the way your spouse drives...
This book was originally written in Spanish, but it's also in English as you can see. (I found this copy in a mini free library. Love those things!)
The use of language is beautiful in this book in French, and I'm sure it translates well in English. The story is well-written with well-developed characters and the interesting plot line is intriguing as I said. But it is looooooooong! And the pacing is a bit slow. To the point that it reminds me a lot of the classics. It moves along at a 1950s speed.
I highly recommend this book and as a book coach, I'm not sure I would tell the author to take any part out. I don't think it's not over written, or that there are chapters that aren't needed. Like many classics, it's just a long story.
Which doesn't bother me. I like long books. But what do you prefer?
Are you impatient with long books with complicated storylines? Do you prefer fast-paced and fewer characters or less-developed characters? Or do you want it all: fast-paced and well-developed characters?
If we've learned anything it's that each reader is unique in what they'll put up with and what they won't. What they like and what they hate. So let me know your thoughts!
And have you read this book? What did you think of it if you did?
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Find these books and more!
No stopping here! In November I'll finish up some books I started to read and haven't finished yet (The Alchemist, Shadow of the Wind, and another Spanish book) while focusing on writing in NaNoWriMo.
I decided to add in a few more scenes into the first of Outside the Ring, so beta readers are still a few weeks out. But it will happen soon!
Until the next newsletter, keep reading!
Kat