Sometimes it's hard for me to enjoy or get into a book if I can't identify with at least one of the characters. Total weirdness without a context I can relate to just ends up being words scattered on paper for me.
The big exception is when the author is using an estrangement technique (Verfremdungseffekt) to deliberately divorce you from the characters or story, forcing you to see some uebermessage being conveyed. I've seen it used more in plays, but it can be seen in books, as well. If I realize early that that's the purpose, then I'll read it. Otherwise, I scratch my head and pick up the next one in the stack!
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Date: 2004-06-21 10:30 pm (UTC)The big exception is when the author is using an estrangement technique (Verfremdungseffekt) to deliberately divorce you from the characters or story, forcing you to see some uebermessage being conveyed. I've seen it used more in plays, but it can be seen in books, as well. If I realize early that that's the purpose, then I'll read it. Otherwise, I scratch my head and pick up the next one in the stack!