It's been fascinating reading reviews and listening to people's responses to Farewell Trip. It's not something I've ever been able to do before, to be both writer and part of the audience. And in particular it's been interesting as to how each individual has read the book.
A key part of reading stories is that most people take a protagonist as their hero or heroine, identify with them and follow the story through their eyes, taking their side. If they can't find anyone likeable they often can't find a way into the book, or film, or play, and so on.
I've had this conversation with Anne many times over the years. For I have little problem with everyone being dislikeable, and enjoy art that leans that way. A little distance, a little Brecht. As long as it doesn't kill emotion. But she needs someone to root for, to invest in.
Anyway, being at heart a love story, it seems many of the people who have read Farewell Trip have been living the book through Ruth's eyes. And a scant few have taken Trip's side (ironically, there aren't meant to be any sides, not as we wrote it anyway). I had a long conversation with a male friend who was determined to fight Trip's corner to the end (and of course I agreed wholeheartedly). I'd like to think this is all credit to the power of our writing, and that our two distinct voices have resonance. But it's more likely that, as readers, we take sides very early, and along sex lines. Either way, it is much like life...
A key part of reading stories is that most people take a protagonist as their hero or heroine, identify with them and follow the story through their eyes, taking their side. If they can't find anyone likeable they often can't find a way into the book, or film, or play, and so on.
I've had this conversation with Anne many times over the years. For I have little problem with everyone being dislikeable, and enjoy art that leans that way. A little distance, a little Brecht. As long as it doesn't kill emotion. But she needs someone to root for, to invest in.
Anyway, being at heart a love story, it seems many of the people who have read Farewell Trip have been living the book through Ruth's eyes. And a scant few have taken Trip's side (ironically, there aren't meant to be any sides, not as we wrote it anyway). I had a long conversation with a male friend who was determined to fight Trip's corner to the end (and of course I agreed wholeheartedly). I'd like to think this is all credit to the power of our writing, and that our two distinct voices have resonance. But it's more likely that, as readers, we take sides very early, and along sex lines. Either way, it is much like life...
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