What makes a good book?

Question

it's for an essay... i need some ideas plz

Answer 1

Originality, the author's writing style, communication between the text and the reader, ability to convey reality, create believable characters, ability to hold the reader's attention, multiple layers within the text (as in you can read the novel as just a novel, but if you dig down deep, you'll find multiple meanings and different ways to interpret the novel), coherent structure, appealing plot.

The list can go on and on, but I just named things off of the top of my head that I look for, and what critics often criticize.

If you are doing it for an essay - just look at the authors style a lot. For some authors you can talk on and on about the flaws and/or the perfection in their style.

Hope I've helped.

Answer 2

I respect all the answers here but some of them are describing a great book not a good book. A good book needs the reader to care (at least a little) what happens to the person place or thing. There are some books written from the perspective of a criminal and yet if told well, the author can make you care. The story or characters do not have to be original, prototypes work fine. Some of the best stories are the ones that get told over and over again. A stranger rides into town...
It has to be well written; clear concise and colorful works for me.

Now a great book, that's another story. I know them when I read them but there's no formula.

Answer 3

VVhat's going on.

VVhat makes a good book good is that it makes a connection. The book is able to communicate vvhat it vvants to get across. The thought or subiect is thoroughly explained and understood. A good book does not give details that are not needed. It must be something intelligible and succinct.
It needs not to be creative: that's usually left for fiction. It needs not to be believable: that's left for non-fiction. It simply needs to have a subiect matter, that is, a topic, and something about it the author vvants you to knovv or vvants to give you a starting point into an imaginary vvorld, or simply vvant to tell a great story.

There are story books, there are reference books, there are help books, and there are books about events and nevvs.

A great book I like has many vvords, is very big, has sections that divide the book to seperate categories, lot of information and pictures, yet it does not have a story. You don't need an imagination. The book is my American Heritage Dictionary Second College Edition, filled vvith history, and cultural facts. It has short biograhical entries, lists of 2-year and 4-year colleges and universities, list of abbreviations, geographic entries vvith small maps, and also contains articles filled vvith so much imformation. It is a reference book that is very educational and fun to read. It also contains charts.

Another book I consider great is not 1 book, but a compilation of books, the Holy Bible. Filled vvith so many stories, knovvledge and vvisdom that vvas vvritten throughout the stretch of time. It has information that related to early man and even to modern man and beyond. It is regarded as the most sacred and povverful book to some, and intimidating to others. It is the most sold book, and I even read the most stolen. It is used as a guide to live, for help and advice. It's also used for safety and reassurance. It's the most talked about book leading to debates. The vvay the book came about is a history on it's ovvn. It's the iourney of man, and vvhat he must do to reach salvation and freedom.

Hope that helps. Take care.






If a man vvill begin vvith certainties, he shall end in doubts, but if he vvill be content to begin vvith doubts, he shall end in certainties.
-Francis Bacon

Answer 4

A GREAT first sentence that grabs you and pulls you into the story and doesn't let go until the author wants to go. A plot that runs through the story like a spine - pushing forward all the time. Original, fresh ideas. Well developed characters that are three dimensional and that have pasts, presents and dreams for the future. Great subplots and backstories. Accurate and detailed research. And an ending that leaves you wondering when the sequel comes out.

And contrary what my colleague above me had to say - please leave out the purple prose. Using big words and lots of unnecessary details doesn't do anything to improve your story. It just proves you know how to use a thesaurus and can stretch 75 thousand words into 100 thousand. TRUST me when I tell you this. Your editor will red pen all that sauntering stuff anyway. It wouldn't make it through one of my classes either. That is a sure sign of a novice author. They try to sound like what they think famous authors sound like. I call it JKRowlingitis because that is who most novice authors are imitating these days. Leave out all the sauntering and the senseless metaphors. Does a weasel wear his pants slung low and wear rubber soled shoes? Not the last time I saw one. I fail to see the connection first of all, Secondly the syntax is totally backwards. Any editor worth their salt would kill it instantly. KISS - Keep it Simple. Big words impress no one.

Show not tell. Don't tell me what the guy looked like, what he was wearing, none of that junk unless it advances your plot. A very famous author who I have met on several occasions Michael Connelly, has written about 13 books on his character Harry Bosch. And yet when asked what Harry looks like, he has no idea except to say he is "wiry". Remember what Shakespeare said. "IMAGINE when you speak of horses that you see them ... " Please don't describe a horse or a sunset to me. I already know what they look like. Let the reader use his imagination. Your job is just to whet it using your story.
----
They're, Their, There - Three Different Words.

Careful or you may wind up in my next novel.

Pax - C

Answer 5

Something which hasn't been touched base on. A novel which readers can find some common ground with the author.

A book that expounds what the reader secretly desires but is afraid to ask in real life.

A piece of literature which touches every one of us in a way that can't be described with words alone.

Answer 6

here's a list:
-romance (the thought of being romantically involved, or feeling happy for another pair of love doves)
-humor and wit (everyone enjoys some variation of comical situations, just the thought of coincidences or irony excites us)

for some reason, that's all i can come up with :[ but there are other books that are excellent due to the insight they give you. a good book would definitely be one that allows you to think. example: Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger.

Answer 7

What makes a good book... in my opinion, a good book is one with characters that you can't believe are fictitious because they seem so real, a plot-line that keeps you hooked with ever word, has either a satisfying end to every chapter, or a cliffhanger so that you have to read on, and brilliant morals that you can take with you.

~Tiger

Answer 8

One that elicits emotion from the reader; if the story draws the reader in and makes them care about what's happening, then its a good book. Developed characters that the reader can relate to are also a plus. Good luck!

Answer 9

Brilliant prose is important to me, as well as character development that brings them to life in my mind virtually forever.
I like many different genres but the plot needs to be believable , of course, and intelligent.

Answer 10

A story that people can relate to. Written simply, yet descriptively.

For example, I can say "He walked in the room" or "He sauntered in the room, with his pants slung low, dragging his rubber-soled shoes across the floor, like a weasel."

The richer the details, the more visual picture you are creating for someone.

They will want to sit in the room with you and go along with the story.