Going Postal

[gauchecritic]

...is the title of Terry Pratchett's latest Discworld novel.

A new character has been introduced for the story to be about and within a few pages I was eager to learn what happens to him.

But what I'm wondering, even though I know that I'm more than likely going to enjoy the novel before I start, without so much as a description (the main facet of the character being that he makes a living by being non-descript), this bloke is in jail waiting to be hung on gallows in a few hours and is trying to escape, but already I actually like the character and want him not to hang.

What I want to know is; how does Mr Pratchett (or any popular author) manage to make me like a barely discerned character before anything happens? Anyone? Any clue?

Gauche

 

[Guest]

My guess would be that the character seems very "normal". Prachett hasn't developed him very much, not on a conscious level at least, because he didn't need to. I haven't read the book, so this is merely speculation, but by not giving the character any discerning characteristics you have perceived him as a normal bloke, and as such you empathise with him and perhaps see a little of yourself in him.

Not that I really think you're normal.

It's those characters that have strong personality traits, and sometimes disorders, which really scream out to us to be loved or loathed, i.e. we form a strong opinion of them. Those which are left for us to make up our own minds about are often those we warm to the most.

Just my own personal experiences when reading.

Lou

 

[smoochypig]

oh cool. thanks for the heads up. I will have to find a copy of this. (hooray for amazon wish lists).

My only hope is that the 'recession' that Pratchett went through were he could never end a book with the same passion as he began them is truely over. ( I presume, because he was being driven by publisher schedules rather than his own?) The last few seemed to be back on form again.

Fingers crossed.

 

[Guest]

... What I want to know is; how does Mr Pratchett (or any popular author) manage to make me like a barely discerned character before anything happens? Anyone? Any clue?

Gauche, I'd have to read what you've read, but I daresay it's merely in the language and its use. You know that (it's a gift).

Perdita

 

[Edward Teach]

Just a guess, but there are certain universally likeable traits that characters can have such as honesty, humbleness, humor, being an underdog, etc. If a skillful author can subtly reveal just a couple of those with no universally despicable traits, then the character is going to be liked.

Ed

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Good Authors make you care about characters in a multitude of ways, many based on your earlier assocciation with the author. One author of horror whom I like, is very good at this, but due to my having read several of his works, he (usually she) who is going to get aced is apparent well before they shake off the mortal coil. He just makes you get to liking the soon to be dearly departed.

Louis Lamour, used to drive my mother to distraction with his minor characters. A hostler, bartender, down on his luck cowboy, fur trapper, indian or even sporting lady. A page, maybe two sometimes just a paragraph was all he would give, but in that span you wanted to know more about them and mom would go nuts when the story moved on with the main character and these glimpsed people were left behind.

if there is a trick to it, I sure wish someone would let me in on the secret.

-Colly

 

[BlackShanglan]

For me, the ultimate is "A Clockwork Orange." Alex rapes, robs, beats, steals, and eventually murders - and yet, I don't know anyone who hates him. No one who even particularly is happy about him going to jail. And most people are glad when he is "uncured."

With Alex, I think it's the voice. So playful, so amusing, so clever and yet human at the same time. It's a masterwork in voicing a character.

Shanglan

 

[Guest]

Shanglan, that's very interesting re. 'Alex'. I feel the same about Shakespeare's Richards II and III. I so understand why Lady Anne marries the dog, and in the Pomfret castle scene as RII speaks his beautifully sorrowful soliloquy I can't bear knowing what's to come.

Perdita

 

[carsonshepherd]

For me, the ultimate is "A Clockwork Orange." Alex rapes, robs, beats, steals, and eventually murders - and yet, I don't know anyone who hates him. No one who even particularly is happy about him going to jail. And most people are glad when he is "uncured."

With Alex, I think it's the voice. So playful, so amusing, so clever and yet human at the same time. It's a masterwork in voicing a character.

Shanglan

Also, in the movie, Alex is so fucking sexy.

 

[sincerely_helene]

For me, the ultimate is "A Clockwork Orange." Alex rapes, robs, beats, steals, and eventually murders - and yet, I don't know anyone who hates him. No one who even particularly is happy about him going to jail. And most people are glad when he is "uncured."

With Alex, I think it's the voice. So playful, so amusing, so clever and yet human at the same time. It's a masterwork in voicing a character.

Shanglan

I cried at the ending of Calligula. No one seems to understand why.

 

[English Lady]

Oooh New Pratchett...YAY!

Pratchett is amazingly good at making up believeable and ultimately loveable characters. I've actually seen an extract from the first few pages of the book and I think we like him because:

A, He's a tryer.

B,He's polite.

C, He's witty. (even when he's not trying to be)

D, He is backed into a corner with nowhere to go. (playing on our sympathy)

E, He is being picked on by an authority figure. (picks up on peoples rebellious streak)

F, He's dropped head first into an unknown situation and seems to be dealing with it.


And he escaped Death (Kind of a shame as Death is my favourite Discworld character but ho hum!)

Yup I think thats why he's so likeable even though he is quoted as being

"a natural-born criminal, a fraudster by vocation, a habitual liar, a perverted genius, and totally untrustworthy."