tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post8593089977665457182..comments2024-03-10T05:06:25.309-04:00Comments on Livia Blackburne: Three Ways the Opening of Graceling Draws the Reader InLivia Blackburnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-73431850911319301692011-04-29T20:12:19.669-04:002011-04-29T20:12:19.669-04:00@ Anonymous - they're both stand alone stories...@ Anonymous - they're both stand alone stories so you don't have to read one before the other however, I recommend reading GRACELING before FIRE. <br /><br />Though well-deserving of all the praise that it received, the sheer depth and skilled character weaving of FIRE makes it glaringly apparent that GRACELING is a first novel by a new author and I found it disappointed my expectations when read second.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-74071233549454003792010-02-23T14:58:21.501-05:002010-02-23T14:58:21.501-05:00Anonymous -- Fire is pretty much a standalone book...Anonymous -- Fire is pretty much a standalone book. You find out a little bit about Leck, who plays a big role in Graceling, but it won't ruin too much if you read it first.Livia Blackburnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-56702151421792492812010-02-23T03:08:49.717-05:002010-02-23T03:08:49.717-05:00I haven't read Graceling or Fire and the only ...I haven't read Graceling or Fire and the only one available at my local library is Fire. Do I have to read Graceling b4 Fire or does it not really matter? btw, luv your 'book review'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-26933385849271512362010-01-17T09:47:55.477-05:002010-01-17T09:47:55.477-05:00Wallis, Both Fire and Graceling have an unconvent...Wallis, Both Fire and Graceling have an unconventional plot format, where the big climax comes about 3/4 of the way through and the rest kind of the book slowly resolves the emotional and character arcs. I liked it in Graceling, but not as much in Fire. I think this is because I liked the characters in Graceling more, so I was willing to hang out with them for longer. And I also didn't really like Leck's role in Fire, so I think that might have something to do with it. Hmm, perhaps I will post about this, I'll see...Livia Blackburnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-14073979687470355422010-01-17T03:53:36.188-05:002010-01-17T03:53:36.188-05:00Haha, agreed on how reading too much YA is bad for...Haha, agreed on how reading too much YA is bad for patience. I enjoyed Graceling and your analysis of the intro. <br /><br />You should do a follow-up on the story's resolution. I was less satisfied with the mostly glib storyline wrap-up, but would be interested to see your take :)Wallisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-65574382858685597942010-01-12T07:39:42.142-05:002010-01-12T07:39:42.142-05:00I love when I open the cover of a book and read an...I love when I open the cover of a book and read and am pulled in. You know, I have no choice because the words are grabbing me and I must surrender...to read. Love it! Oh and the opposite? I am yawning and my attention is drawn to the to do list on the fridge.T. Powell Coltrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02160774009926623671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-30040598311800615202010-01-11T11:19:13.446-05:002010-01-11T11:19:13.446-05:00Ohh, I'm so jealous you got to hear Cashore re...Ohh, I'm so jealous you got to hear Cashore read. I really enjoyed Graceling and agree with your assessment of the book's opening. Also, the fact that Katsa is such an interesting female character drew me in, and now I kinda want to take self-defense lessons to be more like her. :)Breannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08019704231366936991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-18001762947014793412010-01-11T10:58:54.296-05:002010-01-11T10:58:54.296-05:00I love writing tips and text analysis. Nice job an...I love writing tips and text analysis. Nice job and makes me want to read the book.Maria Padianhttp://www.mariapadian.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-87090159503479859542010-01-11T06:27:23.003-05:002010-01-11T06:27:23.003-05:00Haha, that's a very good point! XD Yes, from a...Haha, that's a very good point! XD Yes, from a female perspective I can't quite imagine that scene having the same kind of punch WITHOUT Sexy Mysterious Man's entrance at the end. These three different ways are interpreted differently by male and female readers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-18061978728724896052010-01-10T11:45:10.653-05:002010-01-10T11:45:10.653-05:00driftingastray -- Hmm, I wonder if there's a g...driftingastray -- Hmm, I wonder if there's a gender difference here. Sexy Mysterious Man may not have the same pull on guys.Livia Blackburnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-55318114931810160512010-01-10T06:02:19.600-05:002010-01-10T06:02:19.600-05:00Hi there! It's @miss_rosie from Twitter here.
...Hi there! It's @miss_rosie from Twitter here.<br /><br />This is interesting for me because I think you pretty much nailed all the reasons I was so hooked by Graceling's opening. At the time I was oblivious to the technical side of the writing because I was so caught up in the action.<br /><br />I was talking to a writer friend on Twitter following us both reading your post, and he found that Graceling was much more of a slow burner - the opening scenes/chapters didn't immediately grab him and he almost didn't get through them. It's interesting that what works for some people doesn't push the right buttons for others. My friend liked Graceling overall, but the book caught him up a few chapters in.<br /><br />I may have to go back and re-read it following your thoughts on it and the discussion I had on Twitter. It's definitely worthwhile to start looking at novels from a more analytical/writerly perspective, and it's very interesting too!<br /><br />I'm looking forward to your future posts on Graceling. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-58870574163320585212010-01-09T18:34:10.473-05:002010-01-09T18:34:10.473-05:00I also try to put a hook in the first sentence - s...I also try to put a hook in the first sentence - something to draw the reader in. It'll take some work until I do it this well however :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-60361002558259938082010-01-09T18:08:47.392-05:002010-01-09T18:08:47.392-05:00Careful -- read too much YA and your attention spa...Careful -- read too much YA and your attention span will be ruined for anything slower paced.Livia Blackburnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15805379309049803903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-39228941223434100062010-01-09T18:06:20.082-05:002010-01-09T18:06:20.082-05:00I try to place a hook in the first sentence. If I ...I try to place a hook in the first sentence. If I can't do that, I'd better get one into the first paragraph. In media res, baby.<br /><br />All these wonderful reviews of YA books make me want to cheat on my 20th century literary giants. Just a little bit, mind. I'm sure they won't care (being dead, and all)...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503889855562099029.post-25769616807413590832010-01-09T17:41:34.369-05:002010-01-09T17:41:34.369-05:00I just recently read Fire. I haven't read Grac...I just recently read Fire. I haven't read Graceling, but want to very soon. You are right. Cashore does an amazing job of pulling the reader immediately into the story with characters you care about.Heather Sunserihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12552506888985553471noreply@blogger.com