What Makes A Great Book, Great?
(4 minute read)
Great books, like music, film, art, or any other creative endeavour, are so subjective. What is meaningful to one, is disregarded by another. Throw in strong opinions and individual tastes, and it’s almost impossible to truly encapsulate what it takes to make a great book, great.
But I pondered this question recently after reading back-to-back, what I considered to be two great, phenomenal books.
Both books couldn’t be more polar opposite if they tried (their titles revealed below). The first, a lengthy, 900 page epic saga of a tome set in late 5th and early 6th century Britain, with long, sprawling chapters, layered in huge, lush detail of settings and descriptions. The second, a wild, whirlwind 330 page ride (and breeze in comparison), set in the late ‘70s of L.A, containing shorter, punchier chapters, and much less detail orientated but with plenty of grit and edge, the setting was visualised perfectly.
The language of the first was sublime, containing some of the most beautifully written turns of phrase I’ve read in a long time. Even now, recalling some of the sumptuous passages makes my heat soar – both as a writer and voracious reader – for I love eloquent words and sentences well used.
While the other is ultra modern, moves at such a brisk pace, it feels like you live the very period it’s set in – the drug-fuelled, electric, rock ’n’ roll music scene of the late ‘70s.
Memorable Characters
They both have strong, memorable characters. The first, much more detailed, nuanced and captured over an extended period of time, in this instance decades. While the other has more in your face, bold, confronting characters who we get to know intimately, living and breathing their turbulent world in a very short space of time (relatively), inside just a few years.
Regardless of their apparent differences and contrasts in style, there’s no denying, both were equally exceptional and held my attention throughout their entire story. The former book took me about three weeks to churn through. The latter, all of a day – a single bloody day! A new PB (personal best) I might add.
So how can two novels in complete contrast to one another in almost every conceivable way, be so compelling and riveting, excite, enthral, captivate me, and still be rated great?
I hunkered down and did some research to see if there’s a common consensus, or at least some common sense, whereby some parameters or select criteria have been laid down. How wrong I was.
No Rules!
There is not any one “golden rule” or agreeable way to determine what makes a great book, great. And to back me up, former administrator of the Man Booker prize, Martyn Goff, has been quoted saying: “Never, have the judges been unanimous about the winner of the Booker.”
If respected judges of one of the highest esteemed writing awards (second only behind winning a Pulitzer) can’t agree, then what of us, the humble reader, whose tastes differ so wildly it makes your head spin?
I dug deeper. What I found was something a little more akin to being, at the least, a pretty good definition of what makes a book great.
“The greatest works of literature often involve: high quality of language, complexity of theme and detail, universality, depth and quality of feeling, memorableness, re-readability… When you read works of this quality you often feel, and continue to feel, that your internal planes have shifted, and that things will never quite be the same again.”
But then this, from a completely different source: “Novels that are "unsurpassed in their quality and ambition" without regard to popular appeal.
So on one hand, quality and ambition matter, but on the other, a book that becomes hugely popular, wouldn’t be considered a great book because it’s a commercial success? Hmmm…
Doesn’t that fly in the face of the definition of something great, when it hits popular consciousness, becomes a New York Times bestseller, gets raved about online and talked about among book clubs? Great by its very definition is: of an extent, amount, or intensity considerably above average.
In my example, both books achieved all the above with aplomb. I felt truly “moved” and transported by the experience of each story. The language and writing was high quality, even if the second book was written in a more modern style with its choice of language and tone. To me, both met all the above “criteria” – the latter, becoming a fave for many, and reaching NY Times bestseller status.
Opinions, We’ve All Got One
I guess, in the end, everyone will always be entitled to their own opinions, of which there are a staggering amount out there. So whether it’s critically acclaimed or considered a commercial smash, regardless of the high calibre of writing (or not in some cases), it’s what “moves” you that’s all that matters.
Ultimately, that’s the only thing that counts, what the novel meant to you – the avid reader.
While we can all agree how to measure the fastest cars or the tallest buildings, on the question of what makes a great book, great? Well, that’s one thing we’ll never agree on and will be arguing until the end of time.
The Big Reveal…
If you’ve read this far, then no doubt, your mind was piqued and you’re curious to find out which two books I read that I think were great, phenomenal reads. Once you view them, comment on what book/s have moved you or that you consider great, whether critically acclaimed, commercial smashes, flying under the radar titles or relatively obscure unknowns, below in the comments section. Thanks!
Now, without further ado, here they are:
The Mists Of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
