James Patterson?

Question

I've just picked up and read, with increasing disbelief, a book by this author. I understand he is a best seller. Is it a reflection on the attention span of his readers that chapters are at the most 3 pages long and most much shorter. I counted one that ran to 12 short paragraphs only. On many double pages there is more white paper than print. In just over 300 pages, he manages 129 chapters. Or is it a reflection on his inability to write a properly. How can people like this become best selling authors? He really makes J K Rowlings look like Charles Dickens.

I usually read non-fiction these days - history and such like. If I read a thriller, I like something with a lot more meat on it. Say Ian Rankin's 'Rebus' novels where you can almost smell the locale, feel you are walking the streets of a cold, wet Edinburgh and really share the emotions of the main character. I want a book that I can loose myself in, not read and forget in a couple of hours.

Answer 1

Its an easy read. When you want to get to the point without having your brain tested too much.

Yes the paragraphs are very short. That was something that struck me, but does it really matter?

We are not all the same and yes some people do have short attention spans but it does not make them bad people. Each Author cannot meet the needs of everyone.

I would be interested to know which book you read and which books/authors you like.

Answer 2

It actually sounds good to me! I do nearly all of my reading in bed and by the time my head hits the pillow I'm pushing it to get 10 pages read before my eyes can't stay open. 3 chapters in one night? Great! :-)