I am an avid reader but I do not enjoy all genres, and there is a particular genre of fiction that I simply do not enjoy. I have tried many times to read books from this genre but have only ever succeeded in completing and enjoying one or two. The rest just became DNFs. It's just not my thing.
When this topic has come up in discussion with one of my friends he immediately says "the setting is the setting, it doesn't affect the story." He says that if the core story is good and essentially the same in a romance novel, a sci-fi novel, a horror novel, etc., that it should not impact anyone's enjoyment. He says it makes no sense for anyone to say they don't like a certain setting because if the story is told well, then it's irrelevant.
This weird take blows my mind. He generally LOVES to be a contrarian and seems to really enjoy disagreeing with me no matter how trivial the subject–even passing comments like this he will turn into a "you're wrong" thing. Thank you, I am wrong when I say I do not enjoy XYZ. He will even take an opposing stance and try to argue against my opinion on books, video games, and movies that he has never read, never played, never seen. So this may just be one more (in my opinion) idiotic take he has just to find a way to disagree with me.
But just for my own information, I want to know if many people share that same view?
by CrittersVarmint
5 Comments
I mean, the setting is an extremely integral part of any narrative. His argument makes no sense. Setting doesn’t affect the story? In what world?
Genre is so much more than just the setting tho
It annoys me when anyone tries to force me to like something that I don’t like because of their own personal opinions on it. Your friend sounds extremely annoying. You’re allowed to like or dislike whatever you want; he can STFU.
Also he’s completely wrong.
Sounds like this is less about books and more about you needing a new friend.
Setting isn’t the only element of genre—it’s just one of the most visible. Tone, plot expectations (e.g. HEA for romance, solving the whodunnit for mysteries), tropes, pacing, and a shared language are also extremely important. Stories in a genre share ideas and riff on one another. Your friend has a pretty shallow take.