Movies and Books differ in many things, but one of the most important similarities, is the story’s ability to deliver a message.
Now, how that message is delivered is the issue here. Focusing on books, it can be preachy, like in Halo, by Alexandra Adornetto; non-existent, like in Second Star (Honestly I still don’t get that book), or negative *cough* Since Forever Ago *cough*.
None of those sound like fun, right?
I know I didn’t write a review for Quintana of Charyn, by Melina Marchetta, but I was just so mind-blowed and brain-fucked that I doubted I’d be able to write anything worth sharing. So now, I want to present that book as the perfect example on how to incorporate theme into a story.
Like the other books in the series, Quintana of Charyn has many characters and each has its turn to speak. We see each one struggling with their own problems and this would normally turn off the reader, but due to everything being connected like it was, it just made it more exciting because you were dying for the characters to just get on with it and meet each other and you want to see their reactions to things one knew and others didn’t and how it would all turn out in the end.
It does work faboulously like that. I could go on for hours and hours about every amazing aspect in this book, but I’ll try to keep to just theme.
Theme refers to what the story is about in a more abstract sense.
You know Harry Potter‘s books talk about a lot of things, but they don’t do it spelling it out to you. The only thing that’s mentioned repeatedly is the power of love, but it comprises way more than just that.
In the same way, Quintana of Charyn explores themes like finding yourself, deciding what’s right, love(of course), family, friendship, loyalty, grief, betrayal, standing up for you and those you love, sacrifice and true courage.
What’s so especial about this? You might ask. Because um… that’s life, right? Those are too many words! But that’s the point! That’s life. And stories should reflect that too. Even super fantasy and sci-fi -esque ones.
There wasn’t a time in which I was told I had to be selfless, or behave a certain way. The story didn’t shame anyone, and it didn’t center especifically in bringing down a bad guy. Froi wanted to find Quintana. Quintana wanted to protect the Little King. Bestiano wanted to kill Quintana. Froi wanted to kill a lot of people, but didn’t. Isaboe wanted to be happy. Finnikin wanted Isaboe to be happy and for his family and friends to be safe. Lucian wanted to be a good leader. And so on, and so on.
Each character was well-rounded and had a story of its own. As I was reading it, I often found myself wishing Lucian and Phaedra would get their own book.
You see, these are the kind of books that people should be reading more, and writers should be writing more about. These are the kind of stories that should be made into movies, or at least, in this way. In a way that showcases all these little things instead of them boiling down to just action and sex.
It’s time to read smarter. There was once a mini-me that didn’t know about character development, themes, or the importance of a story making sense. But now I know, it’s annoying to hear people praising books that not only you disliked. No, you didn’t dislike the story, and you know it. You despised the way it was presented.
I know for a fact I was enchanted with the idea of a vampire falling in love with a human girl, and going through so many obstacles in order to be together in Twilight. But years later, I was bummed out by the way Bella can’t exist without Edward, by the way she mistreats her best friend and there’s no consequences, but instead he gets a conpensation prize in the form of her daughter. o.o. Talk about messed up.
It’s time to read more into things, and admire things worthy of admiration.
I’m not saying it’s wrong to love Twilight, by all means, love it. I’ll continue roleplaying as a human from Forks and Maggie, from the Irish coven at a forum in Fanfiction.net. No, this is just a plea for people to see beyond the romance, beyond the paranormal and acknowledge the Theme.
Pick a book by its cover, let it become un-downputable because of the plot and characters, but adore it and worship it for what it’s left you.
For some reason, I still haven’t read this final book in the series, which I know is crazy! So, I didn’t read this full post, just in case it gave away any details about the book. But I did skim it (just went past the parts that specifically talked about Quintana) and I agree that themes are important in books – it’s an added layer that gives true meaning to what you’re reading!
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction recently posted this awesome thing…Conspiracy of Blood and Smoke by Anne Blankman – Review & Giveaway
Haha, don’t worry! No spoilers. Though the title does seem like the post might contain some. Sorry about that! I just was so psyched about this book, and since I can’t write a review, I decided to just do this instead to gush about this and at the same time tackle Theme.
Thanks for stopping by!