The Electronic Age of Deprivation

As I am to leave later this afternoon for California I thought I’d write a blog post before my return, which will inevitably bring last-minute distractions such as homework, meetings, and preparations for school. Time is more fleeting than ever it seems, especially as the summer comes to a close. But that is another subject for another post.

The death of letter-writing as a major form of communication has been sorrowful for me ever since I began watching its decline as a little girl. My grandmother and I have been writing letters to each other for as long as I can remember. She always picked a blank card with pretty designs, or a nice piece of stationary to write upon. Her distinctly twentieth-century script was a puzzle for me, fascinating in and of itself; I put conscious effort towards focusing on the sentences, because I was unused to seeing any style except print, and they were sometimes difficult to decipher. Anything and everything could be discussed in a letter, and I spent hours deliberating over what I would say. I had to afford her as much clarity as I could, because with letters one cannot ask for explanation except in the next letter. She took to sending me newspaper clippings of stories or advertisements that she thought I might enjoy reading; perhaps this contributes to my love of newspapers/magazines, etc,. Saving her letters and reading them over again is definitely one of the largest reasons why I mourn the quick dissolution of letter-writing. Why not take these treasures out again on a rainy day, when a bright bit of sunshine is imperative to getting through the storm?

I woke up at five o’clock this morning to go out to breakfast with my mom and brother, since this is the last time I will see my mom for about a week. For whatever reason I could not go back to sleep once I returned, so I loaded in the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice in the DVD player. To those of you who haven’t seen it or read the book, you should! And also, I promise I will not spoil things for you. All I mean to accomplish by this seemingly irrelevant side note is to remark that in that era, writing letters was more than a form of communication. It was our Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter. It was the only chance to record one’s feelings down on paper, on something palpable that could be passed around or announced to family and friends. Letters could convey deep sentiments to a close companion, or confuse others with vague statements and clever word choice. Of course they had their cons; information was not received immediately, which made emergencies far more anxiety-ridden. Shortages of paper, ink, or time could also pose some challenges for the writer. But in my mind, the benefits of these letters were far more important than the implications of them. As with my grandmother’s letters, they were a surprise to read. Unlike emails or texts, each one could be different and special.

It is entirely possible, given the hour of my rising this morning, that I am run away with my sentiments about letters. I’m not afraid to admit this to my readers, but I do believe that my case is valid. Call letter-writing an art form, a diverse and interesting form of communication, or a valued element of history. Whatever name it goes by, I hope this practice is at least partially revived, so my children can experience this same wonder throughout their lives.

Fantasy That Held My Attention

As a rule, I have distanced myself from the fantasy genre, mostly because I have not read very many fantasy books that caught (and held) my interest. The plots seemed to all run together; no longer could I distinguish the books as individuals. Also, the epic heroes/heroines seemed far from characters that I could relate to and “root for.” While usually well-written and intelligent, I opted instead for classic fiction, where I could be assured diversity.
So, when recommended that I read The Diamond Throne by David Eddings, I had my doubts about whether it would be worth my time. I had similar feelings about the first book of the Twilight series, by Stephanie Meyer, which was recommended to me as well.

Why did they hold my attention?

However, both of these disproved my reservations about fantasy books. They shared, I discovered, four distinct elements that other fantasy books lacked: suspense, likeable characters, frequent and major plot changes, and frequent changes of setting.

Suspense is crucial to many stories, and especially to those in the fantasy genre. It helps set the tone and mood, so that the reader can vividly feel the tension that the characters are experiencing. In The Diamond Throne, Eddings uses suspense very often, and the pace of the novel rapidly increases as the story continues. Similarly, in Meyer’s novel, suspense creates a haunting feel, as though the situations will be disrupted at any moment. Both of these help the reader feel as though a sense of extreme imminence exists.

In my experience, classic fiction novels (such as those of Austen, Dickens, and Forster) largely rely upon likeable characters. The protagonists of these antique treasures stay with the reader long after the last page has been absorbed, because they are relatable. The reader has compassion upon them, and wants them to succeed in everything. Sometimes, these characters feel like actual people, and a sort of friendship begins between the reader and the character. The fantasy genre has led me to many characters that are too perfect; perhaps I simply have bad luck in selecting books in this genre, but either way, I am left unsatisfied. In both Eddings’ and Meyer’s books, though, I met characters who I have come to care very much about. Whether I am worried over the welfare of Sparhawk and Sephrenia, or I share deep sympathy for Bella Swan, the characters seem like real people with real flaws. I berate them for their mistakes and I rejoice in their triumphs. I can easily see their personalities staying in my mind for years to come.

Nobody who knows me well can misunderstand me when I state that Jane Austen in my favorite author. However, I have noticed that her novels lack the constant plot changes that fantasy books offer. As opposed to lengthy, deep intellectual commentary (common in Austen’s novels), fantasy books regularly introduce major plot changes that keep the story moving. I have heard fantasy dubbed “light reading” because it is mostly devoid of the themes/assertions that make books weigh heavily upon the mind. Instead of dwelling upon a few cumulative circumstances, these books are always initiating new developments; instead of trying to prove a larger truth, they are telling a tale. In both The Diamond Throne and Twilight, swift plot change is normal. Therefore, the reader seldom finds his or her self wishing that some parts are omitted; in this case, the books can even end too suddenly.

Classic fiction can be known for its detailed descriptions of setting. In fantasy books, however, setting change is also quite frequent. I believe that this compensates for the lack of commentary; it varies the content of the book. Since fantasy is usually composed of dialogue and plot development, the setting descriptions (though they may be brief) offer a contrast for the reader. When reading about a new setting the reader can take a break from the circumstances and happenings in the characters lives, and simply breathe. Thus the contrast is a welcome one.

I think these four central elements contributed to my overall pleasure in reading The Diamond Throne and Twilight. Without them, they would be like the other fantasy novels I’ve read: dull and predictable.
While these books were not perfect, I definitely enjoyed them and believe they were worth my time. I found myself upset when they ended, because they each belong to a series, and I didn’t have the next book readily available for either. For other bibliophiles like myself, who especially enjoy classic literature, I would recommend trying a fantasy book or two. The chances are high that they will surpass your expectations.