Do people read introductions?

sommemi · Sep 4, 2009

I know there are often "prefaces" in the beginning of books... but I know that when I pick up a book myself, I tend to consider the preface or introduction kind of unimportant. I always read it, but regretable because I want to get on to the 'good' stuff. I bought the book to read the story, not some letter from the editor or the author. Granted, there are sometimes when the introduction itself is what draws me into the story, but is there a good limit on the length an introduction should be?

I have a introduction that is typed more as a letter to the reader (and instructions on how to read the book pretty much)... if I have it formatted like a letter, do you think it would be better that way instead of as a introduction chapter?

(Did anyone ever read "The Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler"? It started with a letter and I thought it really drew the reader into the book... that was kind of what I was thinking of going for...)

jerrywaxler · Sep 6, 2009

I don't know about anyone else

but I always read the stuff in the beginning. Sometimes I even read the acknowledgments to the author's family and readers, just to learn more about the author. Especially in the memoir genre, I think the readers is interested in peering behind the curtain to try to understand what makes the author tick.

Jerry

Nandi · Sep 7, 2009

Oh, yes! Especially introductions to memoirs. As Jerry said, I'm always eager to learn more about the author.

Chrisla · Sep 7, 2009

I read them, as well as prologues and epilogues. I assume that the author put them there for a reason, and I want to get everything I can from the reading experience.

Ritergal · Sep 7, 2009

I'm also one who feels the intro material can be tedious. It's also contrary to what we teach -- start with a huge, well-baited hook. Draw the reader in from the start.

That being said, I generally do at least scan the first page or so. Then I may set it aside to read later. Let's think out of the box: How about a Backward instead? I've noticed that many people are now including acknowledgments at the back. Most of the introductory material would work as well there. I'd never include more than a page or page and a half of intro material.

sommemi · Sep 8, 2009

Thank you for the responses everyone! I appreciate it!

Bluestone · Sep 14, 2009

I definitely read all intros, prologues, epilogues and acknowledgments. I also read the quotes authors put at the top of chapters (like Into the Wild where every chapter had an excerpt from another source, but added a lot to understanding the subject). I don't want to miss anything the author sees fit to tell me - if I'm interested in the book to begin with, of course.

With the acknowledgments, I am like many others who want to know what makes the author tick, and who their agent is!

Empress_Isis · Apr 16, 2010

I read intros if they're short - one or two pages. Any more than that and I tend to skim to get to the beginning! I will also skim if what's in the intro is boring.

I don't think you should look at an intro as something that's apart from the rest of the book. Think of it as Chapter 1, just with a different title. It still needs to be interesting and it still needs to draw the reader in - or else what is the point?

Bushrat · Apr 16, 2010

I guess I'm the odd one out...

I don't like intros and usually don't read them or just skim over them. Somehow I don't like the idea of needing instructions and pointers to read a book - makes me feel like back in high school again or like the author presumes I'm a bit dense.

Prologues I hate with a passion because it seems to me that the author just wasn't able to actually start the book itself with a good hook, and so used a prologue as a tasty morsel to get the reader interested. In these cases, chapter one is often a long-winded introduction of the characters and surroundings.

Ideally, I think, a book should be written to need no artificial hook or instructions. Easier said than done, I know

My first chapter doesn't really overwhelm me either.

Chris P · Apr 16, 2010

I rarely read them. I say this as someone who reads more nonfiction than fiction. Maybe my focus is too narrow, but intros seem to be more "meta-histories" of the person or the subject, and the main text should stand alone without the intro. If the material is that important, it should be integrated into the main text. (And in that way, an intro goes against what we are told to do in fiction; get to the action.)

Do people read introductions?

sommemi

Uses loquacious in sentences

jerrywaxler

Nandi

Chrisla

practical experience, FTW

Ritergal

sommemi

Uses loquacious in sentences

Bluestone

It's never too late to dream big

Empress_Isis

Jenna Cosgrove

Bushrat

reaching for the sun

Chris P

Likes metaphors mixed, not stirred

Do people read introductions?

Uses loquacious&#8194;in sentences

practical experience, FTW

Uses loquacious&#8194;in sentences

It's never too late to dream big

Jenna Cosgrove

reaching for the sun

Likes metaphors mixed, not stirred

Uses loquacious in sentences

Uses loquacious in sentences