Have you ever read a novel so complicated, with so many characters that you needed a flow chart to make it through the story? The first time this happened for me was years ago when I was in a book club in my neighborhood. I don't remember the title of the book, but it took place on one street and involved five or six families. I also don't remember the plot anymore, but I do remember that I finally made a map of the street, locating all the families involved. Another group member told me she had had to do the same.
I recently bought a book titled "Lost on a Page" because it sounded interesting. It's a fantasy novel and a novel within a novel; the author is David E. Sharp. The main character, Joe Slade, is a detective of the old-school, hard-boiled type. We alternate between Joe's world and adventures and correspondence between the (fictional) author and the editor of the books. I got to page 42 before I decided I needed a guide to navigate through the novel. So far I have three categories: "fictional characters," "real characters," and undetermined characters. "Real" meaning within this novel that exists in my real life in 2025. That includes the "author" and "editor" of Joe's books. Joe has a world that is real to him, where he solves crimes and mysteries. But he somehow finds himself in a book world, a library of sorts, where it looks like characters from different genres interact.
I like unusual novels, as well as more normal novels, so I'm up for the challenge of navigating this story.
I haven’t heard of that novel but am adding it to my TBR. I like complicated novels. I’m reading Playground by Richard Powers now. It’s complicated and unusual in terms of characters and plotting. My MA is in English Lit, so that meant lots of reading and keeping track of folks.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of Playground - I'm going to look for that one.
DeleteI have read a few novels that I felt I needed a roadmap to navigate through. I admit that I did not finish some because I couldn't make heads or tails out of the story and I guess I just didn't care enough about the characters to muddle through. I never made a flow chart, but maybe I will next time I encounter such a book. arjeha
ReplyDeleteI think it's fine to abandon a book (unless you're in school and it's for a class, of course!) Tristram Shandy was one that I couldn't get past the first few pages. I know it's something of a classic, but it was like a foreign language to me. My mom tried it too and said the same thing.
DeleteI've read a few novels where I had to make character lists/flowcharts or take notes in order to hold the story together. While it can be frustrating to read and have to take notes, it is usually well worth the work as the complex story finally comes together.
ReplyDeleteI agree! Unless the book is really incomprehensible (see comment above re Tristam Shandy) it's worth it to stick it out. Usually at some point everything clicks and make sense.
DeleteThat reminds me of when I read One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia-Marquez. I had to keep flipping back and forth to the family tree because I couldn't keep everyone straight.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you'll be rewarded with a good story, well told.
One Hundred Years of Solitude is a challenging book. I can't remember if I finished that one.
DeleteLast week Sally Donnelly @readandwritebysally posted wonderful examples of tracking books in "Three Summer Notebook Pages."I have vowed to use them the next time I read a complex story. I agree that Playground is challenging, especially at the end. I had to do some sleuthing. Good luck with this.
ReplyDeleteThat one sounds like it takes a lot of cognitive energy to comprehend! A great book is always worth it!
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