This is an explanation of why I give certian grades to the books I read. I give them grades on the classic academic scale, A - F. For the most part, the grades are purely visceral, as they should be for anyone building a bookshelf. We can't help what we like, what we respond to. But I do think a good number of us have some idea of why we like certain books and can explain why we would recommend them to others.
There are books I would recommend to everyone because I love them, unconditionally. There are books I would recommend to serious readers, because they seem to be representative of a certain genre, time period, or philosophy. There are books I would recommend only if it sounds like another person might enjoy it more than I did. Then there are books I wouldn't recommend at all. Those are split into the two failing categories (though in my day, a 'D' grade was passing at BGSU - I know this personally).
In the words of Heidi Klum, "Let's...start the show."
'F' Grades -
'F' is for 'Fucking Unreadable." There have been many books in my life I've abandoned because they were boring. In the past few years I have begun to force myself to try my damnedest to get through those books in which I can at least see value for other readers. Usually, if I can see that value, I propel myself through them as though I'm swimming against a raging river and feel an incredible sense of accomplishment when I make it to shore. What I end up giving those books is normally a 'C' because I can see the value of these books for others to read. It won't always be an uphill battle for every reader to get through Fahrenheit 451. Christ, was it ever for me.
'F' is for Film Noir by Peter Straub. About three years ago, I took a few months to read The Story and Its Writer: Fifth Edition. It contains about 120 short stories if I'm remembering correctly, and Straub's story is one of them. It's structure is based on the idea of an old film reel that has worn through in places. Sounds intriguing, right? You know, it could have been a really excellent idea. And Straub co-wrote one of my other favorie King novels, The Talisman. Damn I love that book...even before The Dark Tower that's the book that inspired my art. Had Film Noir been a little easier to follow I think it would have been brilliant. It could have been done - many authors write linear stories with giant gaps in time/narrative. Sometimes you don't need to know what went on in between, you know? But Film Noir is just a bunch of scenes that are loosely strung together and too confusing to follow. I hated it. I eventually stopped reading.
Novels or stories that outright fail in my opinion are those I think very, very few readers could enjoy. I count among my strengths the ability to follow a story and, more importantly, the ability to make leaps of logic. This is a talent, let me tell you. I don't have many talents but that's one of 'em (along with reading upside down, writing upside down, writing backward, being able to write legibly with my left hand, and writing in general). Anyway, if I can't even follow your story and I come to the point where I am no longer willing to try...you fail. Outright.
I would, however, give Brave New World a 'D'. Maybe even a 'C'. Here's the reasoning: I couldn't get through it but it was obviously because of my extreme bias against dystopian fiction. I despise dystopian fiction. The book itself is readable. I can see how it made it into print and even why others enjoy it. But it was threatening to suck my life away by being the kind of book I truly hate. I ran screaming from 1984 for the same reason. I'm just not a scientific elitist / government conspiracy type of gal (even when it turns out okay in the end).
'F' is also for The Grapes of 'F'ucking Wrath (copyright me). Except, not. I'd give it a 'D'. The theme and story are wonderful. But the narration...the narration, man! Keep 'f'ucking dialect out of narration. I felt like I was decoding the entire novel. You know what, no. 'F'. I can't read it. I got a migraine reading it (I am not lying at all). It just took forever to reread entire paragraphs where Tom Joad was puttin' a 'apostrophe' on the end of every effin' word and they were goin' and movin' and shakin' and let me tell you, it was worse than that. Oh...especially when there would be actual dialogue like: 'Momma said we was goin', Daddy,' a grinnin' Tom said (not an actual line). 'F'.
It's great when an author has an ear for dialogue and language. But if using authentic speech patterns makes it so difficult for even advanced readers to decipher your narrative, it's not worth said authenticity. Use it sparingly instead so it will actually make an impact. You can't show off when no one is looking.
So, an 'F' book isn't one that is simply boring or one that I, personally, don't care for. It's one I don't think anyone could care for. It would be too frustrating or too confusing for any reader. I can only think of two or three in my life I'd give this grade to, anyway.
No comments:
Post a Comment