Do you need to identify with characters in a book to enjoy it?

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Jolyon Trevelyan
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Do you need to identify with characters in a book to enjoy it?

Post by Jolyon Trevelyan »

Or to put it another way, is it easier for you to enjoy a book if one ore more characters in the book is somebody you can identify with?
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Aonukshi660
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Post by Aonukshi660 »

No... that's not how it works for me. I want the character to be a whole different person than the characters in the book I've read. It helps me broaden my views on personality and complexity!
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Archaeoptery
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Post by Archaeoptery »

I would say no. Books with people who are complete different brings out a better sense of others. I read history something I enjoy, reading about how others lived and acted in thousands years before me offers a lifetime view of then.
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Grace McHardy
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Post by Grace McHardy »

A tell-tale of a good book is the ability to draw in your readers and allow them to feel emotions along with the characters. If I am unable to build that relationship with the characters in a book I am unable to finish it.
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Victor Kilyungi
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Post by Victor Kilyungi »

Definitely, at least one though. If I can identify with one of them then the book will be more enjoyable. if not then the plot must be really strong and engaging.
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Grace McHardy
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Post by Grace McHardy »

Victor Kilyungi wrote: ↑17 Jun 2021, 05:18 Definitely, at least one though. If I can identify with one of them then the book will be more enjoyable. if not then the plot must be really strong and engaging.
I agree! The book has to have something going for it to keep me interested.
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Elena Nechita
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Post by Elena Nechita »

Not really. I usually love characters that are vastly different than me.
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