Do you prefer the books you read for the characters or the plot?

Question

I think I usually go for the characters, but obviously the two overlap and are equally important. But I often find it hard to finish a book if I can't relate or admire or be intrigued by the characters.

What about you?

Answer 1

i buy them for the plot but the ones i enjoy the most are the ones that like (or really hate) the characters in. A book where at the end i wish i could know just a little more about the characters and what happens to them after the book has ended.

Answer 2

I don't really pay attention to any of them I usually just randomaly pick up a book and read it. If I do pick up a book after some debate it is usually for the cover, title, or author. I say this because if you read a book for the characters how do you know who the characters are unless you've already read the book? and how do you know what the plot is unless you've been told or have read the book? I read books for pleasure not for the characters or the plot. As long as I find the book interesting I will read it.

Answer 3

I think the best books have both well-developed characters and an interesting, page-turning plot. If I had to choose between the two then I would go for characters.

Answer 4

I believe the characters must be interesting otherwise the book can be hard to read.

But sometimes you don't realise how strong the characters are until the book is near it's ending, think it's a 'catch 22' situation.

I'm kind of like you, I do need a strong character in a book.

Answer 5

Mostly the plot, but I really get into books where the author uses a central character in a series of books. Like James Patterson, John Sanford, Jonathan Kellerman, or Iris Johansen...all Suspense!

Answer 6

I usually find that if I pick up a book I don't know anything about beforehand, I can decide whether I like it or not by reading just the first 3-4 pages, before I know the story theme or any of the characters. I guess I go by the style of writing, good in wording & construction of sentences, showing insight or humour.

Answer 7

Both. The characters flesh out the plot. Without characters where would 'any' plot be? No characters, no plot. Whether you use animals or people. How do you write a story with a plot but no characters?

Answer 8

I can go either way – depending on the book. I also like some period works, to read about the settings and concurrent historical happenings. I recently read Terror in America – You Are Not Safe! (http://www.terrorinamerica.com/) And was absorbed by the sense of terror I knew was being created in the USA, but it lacked character development to any real extent. Patterson and Demille are leaders in weaving robust characters into absorbing plots.

Answer 9

I totally agree. Definitely characters, but the plot is important. It takes me a while to find a book I like, I'm a picky and very slow reader. God bless (speaking of God, the Bible is the most interesting book I've ever read. There are queens and kings, strange creatures, even a talking donkey(that's in Numbers) and it's all historically based, most of the Bible has been proven by archeology.) Thanks for reading.

Answer 10

Sometimes its both but usually it has to be a good
mystery or as you said intriguing story. Sometimes
I go with characters that have a special sidekick (cats or dogs,
or other animal). But usually mystery. Sometimes sci fi or
mystical stories (because I wonder how the author could
have thought up some of the places and characters.)