The Train Wreck Effect

[wiseheart]

Has it ever happened to you that you started reading a story because the premise seemed interesting, were deeply disappointed into Chapter 2 and still couldn't stop reading?

I've been following this particular story on SoA for years by now. It's hugely popular, reasonably well-researched, I can't actually stand its approach on certain aspects of Tolkien's universe and its view on characters I like, and yet I'm still reading it.

Sometimes I wonder if I am punishing myself for something or if I have a secret longing for suffering.

Of course, I'm known to have worked myself through "Eragon" and "Eldest", so it's probably not surprising. I drew the line by reading "Brisingr", though.

In that spirit, I wish to share with you the link to the Eragon sporking page. It's a thing of beauty, especially as it isn't fanfic the author is making fun of there. It's a series of books, sold for good (and utterly wasted) money.

Comments

[jen-rock.livejournal.com]

I don't think I could ever stand to keep reading a really poorly-written story but there are stories I've kept reading without particularly liking them just because I was mildly curious to see how it turned out or some small detail of the story interested me.