You Think It Means What?
I recently came across a meme featuring a Venn diagram that gave me a hearty laugh – and reminded me of the very first time I met with a book club to discuss my novel, Fallen Trees.
I was eager to hear what the readers thought of the book, but I did not expect what unfolded. Reader after reader offered perceptions and ideas about character motivations that had never even crossed my mind, leaving me pondering, “Where did they get that?” and “How could they come to that conclusion?”
I could tell a few had doubts when I told them the main character was not a thinly disguised version of me. At times, I was tempted to borrow one of their copies to see if my novel had been kidnapped and something else slipped between the book covers.
I nevertheless enjoyed the evening immensely and thanked them for inviting me. As I have met with more book clubs over time, I came to realize reader reactions tell me as much or more about the person as it does my books. Their prism of life experiences shapes how they see and respond to my words.
As a result, I look forward to hearing what others have to say more than ever. It gives me a glimpse into their life, their experiences, their values, and their perspectives, and isn’t that what good books are meant to do? Bring people closer together?