I began to wonder. What draws me into a fictional novel during the first ten pages? Why do I keep reading? What is the crucial information an author presents at the very beginning of her story that keeps me reading to the last paragraph?
That, and also I’m compiling data for my thesis in the craft of creative fiction. I’m a graduate student in the low-residency creative writing program at UC Riverside – Palm Desert Campus and I have a paper to write. This is how I’m collecting my data.
So I started picking up books at garage sales. Books I’d heard of but had not read. (Can you believe I escaped junior high school and never read Catcher In The Rye?) What was it about Love Story that kept a decade of teens reading beyond chapter two? And what the heck is going on with Anna Karenina at the beginning of the story that causes her to toss herself under a train at the end? What information do Barbara Kingsolver, Mary Shelly, E.L. Doctorow or Ian McEwan present in the first few pages that grabs your attention and makes you want to keep on reading?
These postings are the way I see it — in the first ten pages. Post your comments and let me know how close or how far off the mark I am.
Thanks – Bryan
5 Comments
October 28, 2009 at 12:14 am
Yes, why would any one ‘toss themselves’ under a train? They might toss a Kleenex, or other object, but to seemingly carelessly toss a person is a stretch.
I look forward to what information Mary Shelly has to offer for you. Great job, nicely done and very interesting points of view.
Thanks,
-Mark
October 28, 2009 at 12:26 am
Unfortunately she “tosses” herself under the train in the LAST ten pages. [My friend Alaina pointed out that she took poison. No train involved.] One could argue that she literally throws herself away like a tissue when faced with the reality of how her future will execute itself. Between Madame Bovary, Hedda Gabler, and Edna Pontellier in “The Awakening” the turn of the century was a tragic time for women. At least Nora from “A Doll’s House” escaped with her life.
October 28, 2009 at 6:11 am
WHAT a clever light, yet filling take on books- love the web photo. Maybe if you have time and you want more books, just let me know Bryan…you may have to start farming out 10-page writers to help you keep up with the demand as you break it up into genres over time.
KUDOS, and of course carpe diem!
LOVE Kate Chopin’s The Awakening and Mrs. Dalloway is right where it should be front and center! Have you read any Zola? One of my favorites…
November 7, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Great idea, Bryan, and I like your analyses.
Perhaps you didn’t finish Mme Bovary; Emma poisons herself in an excruciating scene, with no trains in sight.
November 8, 2009 at 3:26 am
Alaina! Thanks for looking in and for the comment about Emma’s death. I usually read only the first ten pages in order to stay impartial. After I posted the comments on “The Awakening” I finished the book. Interesting parallel between that and Mrs. Bovary. Now that I think of I confused Madame Bovary with Anna Karinina. Oh Lordy me, those Russians.
Please keep coming back. It is surprising to me that no matter the era, it is important for the story to establish a setting AND LOCATION in the first few pages. Even if the exact location is vague, like in Madame Bovary, the interior of the house is vividly described, which makes sense as it is a domestic drama. Stay tuned. This week will be “All’s Quiet on the Western Front” and Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’ Tale”.
Please leave more comments when you visit. – Bryan