Maggie Dana Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 The thread on whether you read introductions reminded me of a lively argument on another forum about reading prologues. One of the forum members stated, quite emphatically, that he never read prologues. Ever. Being as how this was a writers' forum, he got thoroughly jumped upon. Authors don't want to hear a reader has skipped an important part of their story. The guy's answer was that if it was an important part of the story, it should've been called Chapter 1, and then he'd have read it. But being called 'prologue' signified to him that it wasn't important enough to bother with. And he's a writer, to boot. It caused quite an uproar. So, now I'm wondering what a group of dedicated readers think about prologues. I always read them, but get a little annoyed if they go on for more than, say, four or five pages. A short prologue, a page or two, is often the only way to open some novels, whereas something labeled 'chapter 1' just wouldn't feel quite right at that particular point. And I get more than a little annoyed when aforementioned prologue is set in italics. Talk about hard to read. Opinions, anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 I would never skip a prologue - they're part of the story, no matter how long or short! Usually they set the tone for the novel with an event, a flashback, etc etc. I love a book with a prologue because you can dip into it without having to read a whole chapter. Even if someone didn't like them, that's no reason not to read them. That's just silly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggie Dana Posted April 18, 2009 Author Share Posted April 18, 2009 Usually they set the tone for the novel with an event, a flashback, etc etc. Exactly! And to counter that particular argument, the reluctant prologue reader from the other forum said, 'Then it should've been called chapter 1.' I suppose it's the word "prologue" that puts him off. Must remember to ask if he refuses to read epilogues as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 In response to said reader, what difference does it make what words are written above the content? How does the designation, which refers to the content, in ANY WAY signify importance? Surely every page of a story is important as another insofar as it's all relevant? I just don't understand his mentality. Prologues are like the 3 minute teasers before the opening credits of a show. Does he start watching tv shows 5 minutes late in order to avoid the teasers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 Prologues are like the 3 minute teasers before the opening credits of a show. Does he start watching tv shows 5 minutes late in order to avoid the teasers? Can you imagine watching a James Bond film without seeing the first 5 minutes? You'd miss some of the best action in the film! This guy sounds a bit strange, not reading the prologue simply because it's called the 'prologue'. I completely agree, it doesn't matter at all what it's called, it's still part of the authors story and will be important to the plot. In some books, I've often found that it makes more sense of the ending if one's read the prologue. Can't stand it when they're in italics, though, Maggie. I'm with you on that one, too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeling Andy Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 Of course I read prologues. What a weird, weird question. Very odd indeed. A prologue is, by definition, part of a book. An introduction written by someone other than the author is another matter, because that is meta-information about the book. The prologue is a fundamental part of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ii Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 Of course I read prologues. What a weird, weird question. Very odd indeed. A prologue is, by definition, part of a book. An introduction written by someone other than the author is another matter, because that is meta-information about the book. The prologue is a fundamental part of it. Thank you, Andy. You saved me the trouble of typing that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loopyloo100 Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 I'm in agreement with you all and would be surprised if anyone disagreed. Maybe they knew that it would cause uproar and just wanted a reaction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarlette Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 I enjoy reading prologues. It's a glimpse into the rest of the novel. If the prologue is badly written, though, I feel apprehensive with continuing the rest of the novel. I think a prologue can make or break a novel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 Additionally, a prologue will often deal with a different subplot or angle that is revisited later in the book, and I love books with two or three distinct threads that all tie together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggie Dana Posted April 18, 2009 Author Share Posted April 18, 2009 All these responses (and I agree with them 100%) reinforce your love of books and commitment to reading. This guy, the Prologue Basher, writes YA (not yet published), and claims to be a very slow reader. Nobody else on the board (all writers) agreed with him about not reading prologues. And I don't think he does this to get attention; he's too much of a black-and-white sort of fellow for that. But ... and it's a very big BUT ... there are some agents and editors out there who feel their readers dislike prologues, and authors are often encouraged to either incorporate the prologue into the first chapter, or rename the prologue as chapter 1 and renumber subsequent chapters. I feel this is a short-sighted attitude, but when you're trying to find an agent (you can't get published in fiction with a big publisher without an agent), you have to pay attention to their preferences. They are, sadly, today's gatekeepers when it comes to what you'll find in your bookshop. At least, that's the current situation in the U.S. publishing industry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rawr Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 I would never skip a prologue - they're part of the story, no matter how long or short! Usually they set the tone for the novel with an event, a flashback, etc etc. I love a book with a prologue because you can dip into it without having to read a whole chapter. Even if someone didn't like them, that's no reason not to read them. That's just silly! Agree. I really like to read the prologues and be immersed (hopefully) in the story from the very first word. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLG Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 It's all part of the story and should be read. Why wouldn't you want to read the prologue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeling Andy Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 I never read Chapter 4. I feel it's a waste, and redundant. It's after the scene-setting and before the finale, so why would I bother? Eh? Huh? Think on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 Andy, you're wasting your time. All you need is the first two chapters and last two. Skip all prologues and especially the epilogue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freewheeling Andy Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 Actually, I sometimes don't bother reading the last 20 pages because all the worthwhile stuff has already happened. All the characters are already developed. I don't know why anyone bothers, I really don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 Actually, I sometimes don't bother reading the last 20 pages because all the worthwhile stuff has already happened. All the characters are already developed. I don't know why anyone bothers, I really don't. I often read the first 30 pages of one book, then skip to another book - sometimes not even by the same author! - and read from page 31 to 60, then skip to another book and read from page 61 to 94 and so on and so on. It makes things interesting, if mildly confusing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MDR124 Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 I absolutely quote Andy Why don't skip the odd lines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 I often read the first 30 pages of one book, then skip to another book - sometimes not even by the same author! - and read from page 31 to 60, then skip to another book and read from page 61 to 94 and so on and so on. It makes things interesting, if mildly confusing... :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ii Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 I think I just developed a small crush on Andy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 I think I just developed a small crush on Andy. You have?!? If I caught the other bus, I would have done ages ago! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 @ 'caught the other bus'! Like everyone else, I'd never skip the prologue. Does this guy skip the epilogue too?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maggie Dana Posted April 18, 2009 Author Share Posted April 18, 2009 Does this guy skip the epilogue too?! I'll have to ask, that is when I'm not skipping every third chapter but only on alternate Tuesdays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 Hahaha oh link that guy to this thread will ya! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BookJumper Posted April 18, 2009 Share Posted April 18, 2009 As a reader, I think prologues are vital to a certain type of book. Fantasy books requiring to introduce worlds, histories and mythologies before their authors can hope to get a word in about main characters and current events require prologues; as a reader I'd be quite annoyed if not much happened in "Chapter 1", while I'd not expect much to happen in the "Prologue" other than me being informed about the technical nuts and bolts I need to become acquainted with before I can properly engage with the novel itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.