A review by atmorrell
The Plot Thickens: 8 Ways to Bring Fiction to Life by Noah Lukeman
2.0
Another reader wrote a fantastic review of this book that accurately sums up all of my thoughts here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/323957803?book_show_action=true&from_review_page=1
But, I do want to add my own comments to reiterate and highlight exactly how I feel.
The author, at the beginning, and at least one other time within the text, warns his readers that he will be only using masculine pronouns for the sake of simplicity. Which, fine. Whatever. Not a big deal. But the multiple disclaimers about only using masculine pronouns felt subtly sexist when he switched to feminine pronouns for things, as the other reviewer pointed out, breast and waist size. Why make such a disclaimer if you are going to break it? And, if you're going to break it, why be so focused on womens' bodies? Completely unnecessary.
I also took umbrage with his statement at the end that fiction cannot be both "emotional" AND "transcendent." Some of English literature's greatest works were both, and in fact an entire genre ("sentimental literature") employed both emotional tension and depth of theme. So, yes--useful advice, but needlessly bogged down by condescension.
But, I do want to add my own comments to reiterate and highlight exactly how I feel.
The author, at the beginning, and at least one other time within the text, warns his readers that he will be only using masculine pronouns for the sake of simplicity. Which, fine. Whatever. Not a big deal. But the multiple disclaimers about only using masculine pronouns felt subtly sexist when he switched to feminine pronouns for things, as the other reviewer pointed out, breast and waist size. Why make such a disclaimer if you are going to break it? And, if you're going to break it, why be so focused on womens' bodies? Completely unnecessary.
I also took umbrage with his statement at the end that fiction cannot be both "emotional" AND "transcendent." Some of English literature's greatest works were both, and in fact an entire genre ("sentimental literature") employed both emotional tension and depth of theme. So, yes--useful advice, but needlessly bogged down by condescension.