I recently found this channel where the guy does really compelling reviews and explanations of books.
https://www.youtube.com/@QuinnsIdeas
I admit I’m a little ashamed how much I’m enjoying it because part of me is saying “Why are you listening to some dude talk about books instead of reading the books?” But I’m old and kinda lazy and lost interest in character development arcs and relationships and just want to know about the cool high-concept sci-fi ideas and storylines. This guy does a great job of giving me all the sci-fi I’m jonesing for in a short, and visually interesting format.
I heard so much about the Three Body Problem series but just don’t have the time to invest in book series’ the way I used to. But I found his channel and in about 4 20-30m videos got a really good impression of the series’ ideas and stories and just really enjoyed watching. Dude has a great voice for this too and is just a great ambassador of nerddom in general.
If you’ve fallen behind in your reading and don’t expect to have time to catch up- you should check this guys channel out.
I have to admit that you admission of not having the room in your life for reading books but enjoying their concepts summarized irks me, but yeah I see the appeal.
Why does that irk you? /genuine
Because part for me about consuming media is having the artist’s intent come through and exploring the ideas they put on the paper, slow or fast buildup and character development etc. When you have it summarized you really can’t catch it all.
That being said I still don’t think this is a bad thing, it’s just my personal problem. Any artist should appreciate their art being consumed at any level and if the hooks are good enough summarization like this might even turn the viewer into a reader.
You know my favorite part of the Dune books was the glossary. I’ve always most enjoyed what I describe as ‘non-narrative’ sci-fi. I’ve read libraries of sci-fi and I found what I really like about it is the big technological and philosophical ideas. The conceptual meat-and-potatoes without all the relationships and personalities.
I get to enjoy sci-fi literature however I want and tbh it ‘irks’ me a bit to encounter literary snobbery over my choice in how to enjoy sci-fi. If you do that to a younger person it may turn them off to the genre just because they might not enjoy the same aspects as you do. So for their sake I’d advise keeping what ‘irks’ you about how other people enjoy sci-fi to yourself in the future.
Jeez, okay. You could’ve just said that after the “irk”. It’s not like you were interested in my explanation.
The fact that I don’t accept your explanation as a valid reason to judge other people’s media enjoyment doesn’t mean I wasn’t interested, that’s why I asked.
But also I don’t think you really read my post because I said explicitly I “lost interest in character development arcs and relationships and just want to know about the cool high-concept sci-fi ideas and storylines.” Your ‘explanation’ basically just says that’s not okay, so it’s not even an ‘explanation’, just a judgement.
I also said that I see the appeal even if it bothers me but fine have it your way.
“Crack smoking bothers me but I see the appeal.”
Weird to juxtapose your thing with crack but okay. And never say never, right? I just might.
@GunnarRunnar to be fair, the OP is not the one that asked for an explanation.
They did in another comment.
@GunnarRunnar oh then yeah, don’t ask questions you don’t want the answer to.
Thanks for that. I know I’m being a bit of an asshat. This just wounds my inner writer (who I’m trying to assure that it’s not that big of a deal even in my own comment).
I think people are being unnecessarily harsh in response to your comment. I get what you mean - it must be frustrating to writers to see their work reduced to a few key points that remove it from the greater context.
I don’t think you’re being snobby in saying that.
On the other hand, I don’t think summaries are a bad thing. On the whole it’ll encourage more people to give the book a try. Anyone that’s put off by the summary probably wouldn’t have read the book in the first place, and at least it gives them some basic background.
Why does that ‘irk’ you?
Answered on the other comment.