This Week’s Topic: Plot, What Plot?
I read a TON of reviews, and I will often see people lament the lack of plot in a book. I must admit, the bulk of the books I read have little to no plot. I don't know if this is something inherent to contemporaries, but I will say many of the books are lacking something tightly plotted. However, the non-existent plots did not hamper my enjoyment of these books, because I am all about the characters.
I will read and a love a slice of life meandering book, IF it meets the following criteria:
- Characters I want to know and be friends with.
- Characters I can root for.
- Characters, who evolve, and are a better and wiser version of themselves at the end of the story.
- Characters, who I can connect with and/or empathize with.
You may notice what the most important thing to me is -- THE CHARACTERS!
I don't get too hung up on what they do, but rather, why they do what they do. I want to be in their head and understand their choices.
I'm not saying that a good plot is totally non-essential. In fact, I think it's really important when it comes to certain genres, like mysteries and thrillers. These books cannot be aimless, if you ask me, but as far as the books I tend to read, it's ok if they are light on plot, as long as they are packed with strong characters.
I'm not saying that a good plot is totally non-essential. In fact, I think it's really important when it comes to certain genres, like mysteries and thrillers. These books cannot be aimless, if you ask me, but as far as the books I tend to read, it's ok if they are light on plot, as long as they are packed with strong characters.
Now it's your turn!
What's more important to you: plot or characters?
Let us know in the comments!
If there is no plot, even characters I like can't hold my interest enough. Likewise if there is good story but I hate all the characters, I'm likely to lose interest. I need characters I can relate to and like, along with an interesting plot to move things along!
ReplyDeleteSo you are both plot and character driven, which I think we are starting to see a lot of, and I believe would be really important when it comes to the genres you enjoy to read.
DeleteI believe I have to connect more with the characters than with the plot to love a book. If I can't connect with the characters, then, no matter how amazing the plot is, I'll not enjoy the novel. However, I do need a consistent plot. I don't enjoy characters doing something just for the sake of doing something. Their actions need to have a meaning.
ReplyDeleteTânia @MyLovelySecret
I thought I was that way until I read books like Luckiest Girl Alive, Girl on the Train, and Gone Girl. A really strong-can't-look-away sort of plot can keep me reading, even if the characters are super unlikable.
DeleteI'm very character driven too so I don't mind books with simple storylines as long as I'm liking the characters. However, when you combine these addictive and likeable characters with a gripping plot? Gold dust. I think that's why I love Ilona Andrews books so much. There's always an amazing story to go with the wonderful characters.
ReplyDeleteWhat's most important for me is how a book makes me feel. You can have a wonderful, inventive and technically brilliant plot but I'm going to hate it if I don't like or care for the characters and if it doesn't spark the emotions one way or another.
Having both in one place is definitely a dream come true, but I find a lot of contemporary books, which are my jam, short on plot. In the end, I remember how a book made me felt. Those that made me feel a lot, usually get the most stars.
DeleteI totally agree with you. I’m fine with no plot, as long as the characters are compelling. Nothing is worse than a book with bland characters and no plot. I usually end up DNFing those.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I would end up DNFing if I found myself in that position as well. EEK!
DeleteI would hate to have to choose, but yes, compelling characters will keep me invested even if the plot isn't doing much, and a book with a cracking plot but flat characters will never get more than 3/5 stars from me--fun to read, but not memorable or important. That being said, one reason why I prefer reading to TV is that an author (usually) does have a cohesive plot, whereas TV shows will wander.
ReplyDeleteI never thought about TV that way, but there are a lot of shows that wander and I can't figure out where they are going. That is probably why I watch more hour long dramas.
DeleteThe plot is always the most important part of a novel, for me. I have become more enamored by characters since blogging. To really blow me away, I need both.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
I don't need both to be blown away, because I am all about the emotional response, but a strong plot and amazing characters would probably get 5-stars from me.
DeleteI'm a very character driven reader as well, Sam! I must like the main characters to enjoy the story, and I don't mind if not much is going on if there's great interactions and relationships. Great discussion post!
ReplyDeleteI have to like them or empathize with them. I have read a few books recently, where I did not connect to the characters, but I understood them and felt for them, and I guess I sort of cared if I felt that way, even if I did not necessarily like them.
DeleteOh I love your formulation Sam: a slice of life meandering book! And I am not deterred by the absence of plot as longs as the characters are great! Give me a good plot but flat characters I can't connect with that will be a problem! Sophie @bewareofthereader
ReplyDeleteTruth! It is definitely better if I can connect with the characters, but sometimes it's enough for me to understand them.
DeleteContemporaries are definitely more character-driven rather than plot-driven. I love your criteria and agree with your points!
ReplyDeleteI agree. I couldn't imagine reading other genres if they didn't have strong plots.
DeleteI so agree with you about characters, especially MC. I have a hard time reading a book where I dislike the MC. Plot driven by characters an be as enjoyable as a tight-plot. Great discussion post Sam! ❤️❤️
ReplyDeleteAnd, I have read books with strong plot, that made me forget how unlikable the characters were.
DeleteIf I had to choose, I'd pick plot over characters. I like when stuff is happening. But, if the characters are awful, it can ruin any plot!
ReplyDeleteYou read a lot of historicals. I feel like I could go either way with those kinds of books. But, mysteries have to have a plot. I do contend that I can enjoy a book with awful characters. Example - Gone Girl. Loved it, hated every character.
DeleteOh, I definitely agree. I'm a big character person. I mean, I love mysteries/thrillers and those can be more plot over characters, but in general, I'd rather fall for the characters than care about the overall plot.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
That's how I feel, and I often find that reviewers, who are not big contemporary readers are looking for more plot, because that is what they are accustomed to.
DeleteI like a good plot but frankly- if the characters rock I can live without a great plot. Awesome characters always work. You mentioned slice-of-life and that made me think of Long Way To A Small Angry Planet- one of my favorite books. It's totally slice-of-life and I could read about those characters all day even if they're eating peanut butter sandwiches.
ReplyDeleteI didn't expect that book to be slice of life, because all the SFF books I read tend to have a ton of plot. Color me surprised.
DeleteYeah it's surprisingly character driven- I mean there is a plot skeleton in that there's something they're trying to accomplish, but it's very slice of life in that we get insights and deep dives into just about all the crew members, and it's just... I don't know, the crew just gives me warm fuzzies. :)
DeleteI have never read a book with NO plot, but the few Scifi books I have read were plot driven. I love that they gave you warm fuzzies.
DeleteI am also definitely more of a character driven reader, and if I love the characters then I honestly don't care if there is no plot whatsoever xD But a good plot too doesn't harm me in the slightest ;) :P
ReplyDeleteI am never bothered by a good plot, I am just not always looking for it, when I have strong characters to carry the story.
DeleteI think it totally depends on both the book and what kind of reader you are. I find lack of plot annoying in any kind of fantasy read, from high fantasy, to urban fantasy. Those kind of books requite plot. I think contemporaries can get away with having less plot but then they need to be carried by interesting characters i actually want to read about. I need either good plot or good characters, if a book has neither then I really don't know what I'm reading for.
ReplyDeleteThat was my thinking too. SFF always seem to have tight plots, and mysteries NEED solid plots, but I have just learned that they are SciFi books out there one could call slice of life. I was surprised. A book with neither a strong plot or good characters is a DNF, that's what that is.
DeleteIt does depend on the book - some can get away with little action/plot...for example, I liked And Then Things Fall Apart by Arlaina Tibenski (a contemporary) a lot, and very little happens in it. But as a rule, I need things to happen in my books. Of course, if characters are bland or have little to none growth during the course of the story, plot alone can't save it.
ReplyDeleteI am always surprised when people find bland characters in a book they read. Who would write a book with uninteresting characters? That baffles me. And if there's no plot, how can your character not grow? I mean, something has to happen in the book, right?
DeleteI definitely think characters are more important. That isn't to say I don't care at all about the plot, but the world's most exciting plot will be meaningless if we don't care what happens to the characters involved, right? That is how I feel about it anyway!
ReplyDeleteThere a few books I have read with really unlikable characters, but great plots and I surprisingly enjoyed them. Girl on the Train, Gone Girl, The Luckiest Girl Alive, In Her Skin, Sadie -- I didn't really connect to any of these characters, but the stories were that good. This is not my norm. They are not the books I gravitate towards, but there is something to be said for a compelling plot.
DeleteI mostly read PNR and UF so with that being said, I can understand and probably get behind a PNR book have a very loose plot but when I read UF, for example, I want a plot set in stone with lots of action that keeps everything moving at a steady to fast pace. I can't stand a UF novel that I can't see the characters going anywhere. It gets boring after a few chapters when nothing ever happens. Character's can help a story along for me but I can't solely rely on them to keep me invested in a story.
ReplyDeleteI do think a thin plot is less acceptable when it comes to different genres, and the plot is definitely an important part of the reader's enjoyment. But, since I read mostly contemporaries, they can wander more and rely heavily on characters.
DeleteIt depends on the genre. Mysteries, thrillers and fantasies need a good plot first and foremost to keep me interested. With romance the characters are who I am interested in. If I cannot connect with them, then I lose interest.
ReplyDeleteI agree that genre matters, when we talk about the need for tight and strong plots. A meandering mystery or thriller seems anti the genre, if you ask me. Like the hero and heroine in a romance is one of the most important things for me. How can I ship them, if I don't even like them?
DeleteI find I require a pretty even balance of both character and plot. In other words, you will see my reviews complaining about the no plot problem. :)
ReplyDeleteYou lean more horror, so I could imagine it needs a little tighter plot, than the stories I read. I guess you can just have killers aimlessly running around, b-movie style, but I don't know if I would want to read that.
DeleteI'm with you Sam! A book could have very little plot, but if the characters are fleshed out, it's a winner for me!
ReplyDeleteIt's creating great characters, but also making all their thoughts and decisions drive the story. I hate real people, but I love being inside characters heads.
DeleteI definitely agree with you about the characters being the most important part of books - a book without a plot can still be thought-provoking and fascinating/enjoyable/etc. IF it has great characters. However, if the characters are lackluster I'm afraid no great plot can save them. For example, Six of Crows has fantastic plot, imo, but it is the characters who really make that book shine - if it weren't for me loving or being intrigued by them, the plot wouldn't hold my attention either. Great discussion, Sam! :)
ReplyDeleteVeronika @ The Regal Critiques
Now I am wondering if the characters in Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train were terrible or just unlikable, because I hated everyone, but still really enjoyed the books. It think they had really, really strong plots, but those are not my norm.
DeleteI do like a plot but can live without if the characters are really well done. I actually wonder if I even notice a lack of plot if the characters are carrying the novel.
ReplyDeleteI only started thinking of this, because I was reading reviews of contemporary books, where they were complaining there was little to no plot, and I think this is the case with a lot of contemporaries. They don't have complex plots, but rather focus on the characters, their growth and decision making.
DeleteI definitely prioritize character over plot, but I can find myself getting frustrated if the plot seems to be going nowhere. Like you mentioned, the genre makes a big difference with this. I think contemporary romances can get away with a whole lot less plot than a fantasy novel, and I'm more forgiving of "slow" plots with those. Of course, they also tend to be shorter, which helps too.
ReplyDeleteNicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I think going in circles would make me nuts too. There is a different between having a loose/thin plot and nothing happening. Something has to happen, whether it being some sort of inner struggle the character is dealing with or some actual action. I can honestly say I have yet to be put in the situation, but seeing reviews where the person slings some serious arrows at a book I liked due to lack of plot had me thinking about it a little more. I think you are right about them usually being shorter. Never thought of that, but it makes sense.
DeleteI'm okay with not having a plot or strong one if you have intriguing and amazing characters. If the characters are amazing and fascinating, I'm good to just chill in their brilliant heads and see the journey they take. But the characters definitely have to be amazing, since they have no plot to fall back on. Wonderful post, Sam! :)
ReplyDeleteI tend to enjoy personal journeys more than high action stories, and being in their heads, getting a peek at why they do what they do, is always intriguing to me, when done right.
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