Both the
books taught me several things:
1. Both start with the problem. There is
no long-winded first chapter getting to know the MC. We are plunged into the
conflict right in the beginning. In Divergent it’s the Choosing Ceremony for
the MC Beatrice ( Tris). In What She Left Behind, Sara (the main character) and
her mother, plan to leave their house due to Sara’s abusive father.
2. Both the
books, especially What She Left Behind have small snippets of back story told
in a unique way. Sara sees something, it triggers another memory and she is
transported back to her childhood. There is just a paragraph or two. That’s
all. The backstory is told in such a way that at no point did I feel that it was an info dump.
3. Both the books have loads of
surprises. It’s like the two authors decided the surprises and sprinkled them
throughout the book. I took three days to finish the two books. You can just
imagine how much writing I must have done in those three days.
4. The
supporting characters in both the books come across as warm and likeable
people. Though there are a certain number of people in the two books who are
detestable, it’s a deliberate effort on the part of the authors. I liked Christina
and Uriah a lot other than Tris and Four (the two MC’s of Divergent). In What
She Left Behind, I liked Alex and Matt, both support Sara like two loyal
friends.
5. Sara's
voice grabbed me from the first page. I just fell in love with it. Even Tris
was super, I loved her voice too.
My
personal take was that both these writers are effortless story tellers ( I am
sure they must have struggled like the rest of us in the course of telling
these stories) who know how to hook their readers. Have you read both or either
of these books? If yes, what did you feel about them? Which book has made you
drool over the writing, story, character and world building in the recent
past?
Rachna, it is a bliss to read two books in three days. My best so far is reading a book for 18 hours at stretch to complete the same! This is how addictive it can be:)Nice reviews!
ReplyDeleteHaven’t read either of them but hope to do so. I really appreciate how you draw out the lessons you learnt from reading these books!
ReplyDeleteI read both these books and totally agree with you. I don't read much contemporary but was totally sucked into Tracy's book from page. Funny how we're thinking of the same theme this week.
ReplyDeleteI've asked my mum for Divergent for my bday in a couple of days! It's been on my list for a while due to all the great buzz I've heard. Glad to hear you liked it. That's something I'm definitely working on - working in that backstory in an unobtrusive (and relevant) way. It's so great to learn from the books we read.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read either of these, but I constantly hear great things about both of them. I love it when you can learn something from reading a wonderfully written story!
ReplyDeleteHaven't read either of those, but most Preston and Child books give me writer envy.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you've described what you need to do to write a good story. Now, stop reading books for six months and write your own story using those principles. Write those characteristics on a sheet of paper and post it on your desk and start writing; no more reading other people's work, only your own, for six months.
ReplyDeleteRahul, reading is indeed addictive, especially if the story has gripped you. Both these books were unputdownable.
ReplyDeleteGargi, try and read both the books. You will thank me for suggesting them to you.
Natalie, read your guestpost and saw that you had also mentioned Tracy's book. Its the book I won on your blog.
Nick, I too am working hard on how to incorporate backstory in a subtle way. Its something I struggle with. Hope you get the book as a birthday present from your mother.
Laura, both the books had lots of lessons on how to write better. Try and read them.
Alex, lots of books I see nowadays are giving me Writer Envy, especially all the YA books I am reading.
Richard, I am surely going to follow your advice and apply all these principles to my own story. Thanks for suggesting that I write all these characteristics on a sheet of paper and post it on my desk.
I haven't read these books...at least, not yet. Putting 'em on my TBR list right away!
ReplyDeleteI found that the books I love are written so seamlessly that I'm always able to finish them in a day or two. Good, effortless prose = hard work from the author.
Isn't it nice to immerse yourself in a few books? I hope to do this soon.
ReplyDeleteI do so agree with your title, though I often feel that it's not a popularly held belief. Book learning so often seems to be a term of disparagement. Good to read your post, therefore.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read either of these books but you make a lot of good points. The surprises and planning where to put them is a good plotting tool that I use also.
ReplyDeleteJai
They are both excellent books. And you're right, Rachna. YA books can start in the middle of things. Where MG cannot. Sounds as if you enjoyed yourself immensely. *waves*
ReplyDeleteI have not read these books. The Harry Potter series which I recently re-read in its entirety fits the bill.
ReplyDeleteI've read both and agree with your list.
ReplyDeleteThis year I've read two novels by Rebecca Stead and I've fallen in love with her writing. Characters and the way they tick come out really sharp in her books.
I love Pushing The Limit by Katie McGarry. I'm currently analyzing the book because I want to see how she did such an amazing job with dual point of view.
ReplyDeleteI too love a book with a good moral at the end. By the way, have you shifted to e-book readers and like me you still prefer the old fashioned book?
ReplyDeleteI read Divergent recently; I can't say I loved it, though I agree with your point about supporting characters and beginning with conflict.
ReplyDeleteThe Honourable Schoolboy by John le Carré is a book I'm currently really enjoying; I love le Carré's writing style.
I shall have to add those two to my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently reading Kate Atkinson's Case Histories and her descriptive scene- setting/ characterisations are awesome!
I think the hardest thing for me to learn as a writer is to jump right into the action from page one. I tend to want to slowly develop--so wrong! Glad you got your groove back!
ReplyDeleteI agree! Books are great teachers. So glad to hear you got your "groove" back. :)
ReplyDeleteThe latest inspiring book I read was Band of Sisters by Cathy Gohlke. Her characters and plot are wonderful - such great writing inspiration. I've long said that when I grow up, I want to write like Cathy Gohlke, lol.
If the first few pages hook me, I often end up enjoying the read....haven't read the books you have mentioned but they sound interesting. Bangalore weather, good music and an interesting book .....bliss.
ReplyDeleteReally great reviews of these two books, Rachna. You made me want to read both of them. I agree that a writer can learn a lot from reading. Good books are good teachers.
ReplyDeleteGreat reviews! Divergent really hooked me, and when I went over to visit the author's blog one day I saw something about her struggle to make Tris the "active" character in the book - the one who is always acting on the situation at hand and not just reacting to it. I took that lesson to heart and tried to apply it to my own writing.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I love the books that seem effortless. Of course, the authors may not have thought so from the amount of work that would've gone into writing them. Hehehe.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes!! We can learn so much from reading. That's why it's so important for writers to read also.
Wow! Love that you've gotten your grooves back :) And great notes on the books. You're right about them being the best teachers.How's your writing going?? Can't wait to read your work!
ReplyDeleteI loved the characterizations in Divergent. I really connected with the people, and how they all had different reasons for being in their group.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read either of these but they sound excellent. I might need to check them out
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You have a point about that "effortless" quality. I'm sure it was hard to write these stories, but the authors make it look easy. All part of the charm I guess:)
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