A Slow Kind of Torture
Posted by annastan on September 15th, 2009. Filed under: Books.I finally finished reading The Ask and the Answer by Patrick Ness last night. It was just as fast-paced as the first book in the Chaos Walking series, and much darker. It showed not only individuals doing terrible things, but also how communities act during times of war. Very thought-provoking stuff. The book ended on a giant cliffhanger, much like the first installment in the series. And now I must wait another whole year before I find out how everything gets resolved.
As I put aside the book last night, I literally said, “Why do I do this to myself?” There is something about reading series that’s a slow kind of torture. You read hoping to get to some kind of conclusion, only to be left with even more questions. This was the case with Catching Fire and pretty much every other second book in a trilogy that I’ve read.
I do know why I read them, because the overall story is so interesting that I want to see what will happen. And, often, it has a lot to do with the worlds in which the stories take place; over the span of three (or however many) books, you really get to know a place, to the point where you can absolutely see it.
What do you think about this strange way we torture ourselves? What is it about series that keeps you coming back for more?
September 15th, 2009 at 6:57 am
I bought the eighth Sookie Stackhouse book months ago but have held off on reading it because I know that once I do, I’ll also want to read book nine, and then there will be a looong wait until book ten comes out. I am trying to prolong the magic
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September 15th, 2009 at 6:59 am
You call it magic, I call it torture – I guess it’s a bit of both.
I haven’t read the Sookie books yet, but I’ve heard they’re very addictive!
September 15th, 2009 at 7:20 am
I completely agree! Middle books in series’ are the worst. They know you already are invested in the character and the story so they don’t really write a complete novel. No one would ever publish middle books as a first book — it just isn’t finished.
As with most first books, they end enough that although you might have questions, you usually don’t need the second book to feel somewhat satisfied.
I think we do it to ourselves because we are so excited about the possibility of finding out more…but I agree…it’s pure torture!
September 15th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Ugh! Yes, it is torture. I always say that I’ll wait until all of the books are out, but I just can’t! I want the story to be fresh and it be messed up by spoilers!
Maybe it’s like a bad boyfriend — you know he’s bad for you, but you can’t stay away!
Oooh, I really want to buy ASK AND ANSWER now. Stop me, Anna! Ha.
September 15th, 2009 at 8:32 am
I think you’re right, Aubrey. Second books rarely stand alone and that’s what makes them such torture. But hopefully it all pays off in the third book! What’s funny about the Chaos Walking series is that the first book had a huge cliffhanger at the end. And now that I think about it, so did Hunger Games. Hm, I don’t think I like this trend…
September 15th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Sorry, Karen! I guess I’ve added to the torture by talking up the second book so much! I guess that’s part of the problem – you hear other people talking about the books and they sound so great that you cave and read them. And then you have to wait just like everyone else…
September 15th, 2009 at 11:28 am
Yep, I just finished Catching Fire on Thursday, and you’re right. Torture.