Does the setting of the novel have any effect on your opinion of book? The reason I ask is because, a couple of weeks ago, I started reading a book. However, within the first few pages, I learned the book took place in NYC, so I immediately decided that I didn't want to read it. I've read books in NYC, but the feel that NYC gives is not my favorite. I don't really know how to explain it.
On broader terms, you could compare a rural setting vs. an urban setting. Or if you want to go even broader, you could compare the feel various countries give a novel. Granted, some of that is contingent upon the author, who is likely to be writing the story in his or her home country.
So, how does setting affect your take on a novel?
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I get what you're saying. Personally setting doesn't affect me unless I can't feel the story there. I love NYC so I'll read anything with that setting almost automatically. And it might even sway me to liking the book a little more (like The Mortal Instruments first book, for instance). If I can't feel the place, I'm not going to like the setting, regardless of where it is. The same applies to the adverse.
ReplyDeleteI can understand your reluctance to read things set in NYC - I actually live here and sometimes I don't really want to read about where I live over and over. But there are many that I do love set here.
ReplyDeleteOn the other side of things, it drives me batty when an author isn't specific about where the story is taking place. I mean, I get it for futuristic stuff. But when it's realistic fic, I really like to know where I'm reading about.
Sometimes I think the location of the book is as much a character as the characters themselves. I hope that makes sense. I just think it's really important to have a specific setting in mind. :)