Today, I’ve decided on a very subjective exploration about what makes me give a novel an unflinching thumbs up. This is not a blog that represents anyone’s taste but mine. Purely personal. I’m guessing there wouldn’t be another literary agent who would duplicate this list, but as a starting point for a discussion, here goes my top ten.
Atmosphere
I crave a novel with atmosphere. Whether it is a bog setting in seventh century Ireland, a dust-filled wagon train moving across the deserts, an Italian eatery in Calabria smelling of a rich ragu that has simmered all day, or the old gothic mustiness of a Victoria Holt mystery— I want to experience the novel through all five of my senses. When I open a book or a manuscript, I want to live there for the duration. A story gets a big thumbs up from me if I come to the end and am surprised at the real room in which I find myself.
Historical Setting
There are many contemporary novels I love, especially mysteries and suspense. I’ll confess though, I’m a sucker for an historical novel, especially one that is well-researched and plants me firmly in the culture and the era. Think Pillars of the Earth. I am a history buff anyway, but most of my serious historical research grew out of being tantalized by an historical novel. I have never understood the pull of writing fantasy when there are so many historical eras and people yet to explore.
Geographical
There are geographical settings that are always popular. I’d love to see some atmospheric southern fiction. Think back to The Secret Life Bees. Most of the “southern fiction” manuscripts I’ve looked at are not really what we think of as classic southern fiction. I’m currently reading and listening to client Ann Gabhart’s The Song of Sourwood Mountain, set high in the hills of eastern Kentucky. The Appalachian setting is so beautifully woven into the novel that I can almost smell the wildflowers and taste the cornbread. I’m reading slower than ever because I don’t want to leave Sourwood or the folk that live there. But there so many favorite geographical settings– the West, New Orleans, the hardy Scandinavians of Minnesota and the Dakotas. Great Britain is a favorite of mine, but there are so many more we’ve yet to explore.
Characters
We know that believable characters are a must in a novel, but I personally like my protagonist to be wise. I want to hear things come out of his or her mouth that make me want to grab a pen and write it down. Yes, they will make mistakes, but no anti-hero for me. An Atticus Finch character lives in our hearts long after we’ve closed the book.
And the villain can be bad, awful, terrible, and no good as long as he’s believable with at least the smallest hope of redemption. I can’t help it, I grew up on the “good girl books” of more than a century ago. I long for hope in a book. If you have a potential Oprah pick in you, that manuscript would not rate a thumbs up for me.
Intriguing details
I love to experience new things in a book. When the heroine has an interesting job or hobby, and we get to delve into it, it immediately ups the ante for me. Laura Frantz’s Dressmaker of Acadie did that for me recently. Plus it gave me a bit of history I had never explored. (Big fan of Laura’s books. I’ve read every one.) Fashion, art, beekeeping, homesteading, photography, even historic sponge diving– all have been featured in books that I’ve loved.
Dialogue
There’s a real art to dialogue. Just turning a few words or phrases around can give us a hint of the character’s age, setting, nationality, education, etc., but it must be subtle. Just a hint, not lining out the complete Brooklyn accent in dialogue. It’s one of the hardest things a novelist must conquer– how to make each character’s speech unique but not hitting the reader over the head with it..
A previously untold story
Editors and agents are constantly on the lookout for that new novel– one that is exquisitely written but opens up a newish genre or a different take on a well-loved genre. Writers must know what is already on the shelf, what is really working, but consider the next level or a new take on it. I know it makes writers crazy when all the help we can give them is “We’ll know it when we see it.”
A familiar story told in a new way
A huge thumbs up goes to a book that takes a new look at a beloved story. Think retold fairy stories. Or take Wide Saragossa Sea, for instance. It told the story of Jane Eyre from the haunting viewpoint of the madwoman in the attic.
Entertainment value
I’m not looking for a book that will make your MFA creative writing professor applaud. I prefer a book that engagingly tells a story, not one that focuses on experimental literary devices or fancy language. It’s not that I don’t love beautiful writing. Most of my clients write with voices that are distinct and polished. Some are positively lyrical, but none of them loses sight of the fact that for their readers are finding the eight or ten hours to read a novel in these frenetic times is a luxury. Films, television, social network–all are competitors for the entertainment dollar. To get a thumbs up, your novel must entertain your reader, not impress the literary world.
Kindness Factor
Okay, this is just me, but I long for kindness these days. When you have a few kind characters in your books, it goes a long way with me. When I read the first book in Julie Klassen’s On Devonshire Shores series, The Sisters of Sea View, I wrote to tell her that the kindness of one of her characters was the high point of the book for me. I’m guessing I’m not alone in that these days.
So what about you? You are all readers. What makes you give a book five stars or makes you recommend it to others?
Andrew Budek-Schmeisser
If you want to tell a tale that sings
on every page, through and through,
consider blessings that God brings
in the life He gave to you,
because the chances are quite strong
that the loves of which you tell
are familiar, and belong
to a lot of folk as well.
So please don’t overanalyze,
and put away the crystal ball.
Your gratitude… that is the prize
that validates your muse’s call
and in your words becomes the proof
of your joy, and faith’s own truth.
Shirlee Abbott
like, Like, LIKE!
Shirlee Abbott
Yay for good historical fiction! I wish I’d been introduced to it back in high school, when history seemed … well, boring. The facts are infinitely more interesting when seen through the fictional eyes of someone living in the era.
Kim Janine Ligon
Love your list and wrote down a couple of them I hadn’t read yet. Being fully immersed in the setting makes the pages fly by. Pillars of the Earth is a huge book but at the end, I was disappointed it was over. Kindness and compassion are often missing in recent novels. And heartfelt affection and esteem shown with emotion. Thanks for the list and the recommendations
Wendy Lawton
Happily, Ken Follett has written five books in the KIngsbridge series. All equally lengthy and rich.
Kiersti Giron
I loved reading these, Wendy! And resonate with so many of them. I definitely agree about Laura’s The Seamstress of Acadie too! Totally transported me to 18th century Acadia.
Wendy Lawton
That was a diaspora I had not even been aware of. Fascinating piece of history.
Ann Gabhart
Love your list, Wendy. Was surprised to see my book mentioned but that made me smile.
I like having characters I can like when I’m reading or writing a book. If I can’t like the main character, I lose interest for the story. And I love when there is a character who share wisdom in a natural way.
An entertaining story is always my first choice for rewarding reading. I like a story that makes me want to know what happens next and gives me hope for the characters’ futures
.
Kristen Joy Wilks
Love your list, Wendy! For me, I’m a sucker for a realistic teen voice and a character that deals with faith issues with all of the delightful sarcasm I enjoy in the teens I work with! Also, really fun middle grade that zips the reader along into the story. Like Taryn Souders Coop Knows the Scoop.
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