describe a book using an adjective (not genre)

catian · Feb 27, 2012

To Moderators: I hope this is the right forum to discuss this thread.
If it is not then apologies and if it could be moved somewhere where it would be more adequate.
Thank you in advance.

I was just thinking about all the adjectives that could apply to describe a story a book and I thought that if a descriptive word exists then it should adequatly apply to describe a book like you would describe a person.
words are because we humans needed to express an idea or a feeling.

so, would I get away with saying:

This is a loud book.

what does it evoke when you hear it?

Stacia Kane · Feb 27, 2012

I'm going to move this to Roundtable, Catian. I think it'll get more views/replies there.

quicklime · Feb 27, 2012

it evokes very little because my opinions may vary from yours and there are likely other attributes as well. You may mean it is loud because everything takes place in crowded places, you may mean the writing is given to ridiculous amounts of hyperbole, you may mean it is just very direct.....this is sort of like a single pinpoint on a length of string. Several more adjectives, and we can see the line take form, but from the single datapoint, it doesn't mean much at all.

playing along, and realizing again the single word means very little:

Anything by Dan Brown: Painful. (although again, what does this mean? In my case, I mean the writing is painful enough I get yanked from the story to groan, mumble "what the fuck?," re-read the passage out loud to make sure I'M not missing something, etc.....but someone else might describe Sparks as "painful" because all his love stories seem to end badly for the protagonist...)

elindsen · Feb 27, 2012

The book I'm read now is Iris Johansen's BONNIE. I would say OMG

Jamesaritchie · Feb 27, 2012

catian said:
This is a loud book.

what does it evoke when you hear it?

An audio book being listened to by the hard of hearing?

catian · Feb 27, 2012

Stacia Kane said:
I'm going to move this to Roundtable, Catian. I think it'll get more views/replies there.

Thank you Stacia. It is very much appreciated.

catian · Feb 27, 2012

quicklime said:
it evokes very little because my opinions may vary from yours and there are likely other attributes as well. You may mean it is loud because everything takes place in crowded places, you may mean the writing is given to ridiculous amounts of hyperbole, you may mean it is just very direct.....this is sort of like a single pinpoint on a length of string. Several more adjectives, and we can see the line take form, but from the single datapoint, it doesn't mean much at all.

playing along, and realizing again the single word means very little:

Anything by Dan Brown: Painful. (although again, what does this mean? In my case, I mean the writing is painful enough I get yanked from the story to groan, mumble "what the fuck?," re-read the passage out loud to make sure I'M not missing something, etc.....but someone else might describe Sparks as "painful" because all his love stories seem to end badly for the protagonist...)

Painful is a strong word.
Did you read still read him albeit it painful?

catian · Feb 27, 2012

Jamesaritchie said:
An audio book being listened to by the hard of hearing?

I see.
You associate loud with sounds which interesting.

How about content wise what would you say a loud book is about?

catian · Feb 27, 2012

elindsen said:
The book I'm read now is Iris Johansen's BONNIE. I would say OMG

OMG for me represent a screamish sound of astonishement but not sure wether it is good or bad or both.

Drachen Jager · Feb 27, 2012

To me, if you describe a book as loud, it doesn't really tell me anything about the book. All it does is make me wonder if it's extremely loud.

There are just certain adjectives that do not fit with some nouns. You've picked one of those.

Aside from all that, you're not supposed to describe your book. You're supposed to SHOW what's in your book, not tell.

quicklime · Feb 27, 2012

catian said:
Painful is a strong word.
Did you read still read him albeit it painful?

half.

it takes a lot of bad book for me to go "Oh, Jesus Christ, I'm just done." and quit, but Dan rose to the challenge admirably.

Jamesaritchie · Feb 27, 2012

catian said:
I see.
You associate loud with sounds which interesting.
How about content wise what would you say a loud book is about?

Well, there are books, I think, that try to shout some message or another. I tend to leave such books unfinished, but I think "loud" would apply.

Cyia · Feb 27, 2012

If you say a book's loud, then I'm GOING TO ASSUME IT'S WRITTEN LIKE THIS.

HoneyBadger · Feb 27, 2012

Cyia said:
If you say a book's loud, then I'm GOING TO ASSUME IT'S WRITTEN LIKE THIS.

Now it's not only incredibly loud, but extremely close.

Drachen Jager · Feb 27, 2012

HoneyBadger said:
Now it's not only incredibly loud, but extremely close.

Doesn't it just appear closer? I took out a tape measure and checked, my head is as close to the monitor as it usually is.

The pink is incredibly loud, I have to give you that.

HoneyBadger · Feb 27, 2012

I am not above playing the If It Doesn't Make Sense It's The Reader's Fault card.

Cyia · Feb 27, 2012

HoneyBadger said:
Now it's not only incredibly loud, but extremely close.

And full of wall-to-wall purple prose

Phaeal · Feb 27, 2012

As a sort of synaesthetic exercise, I would like to apply colors to books. Never Let Me Go is slate blue, definitely. The Lord of the Rings is all sorts of greens and golds. The DaVinci Code is neon yellow. Moby Dick is not white but teal, while The Scarlet Letter is an infinite wash of gray. The Color Purple is umber. Red Dragon actually is red. Go figure.

catian · Feb 27, 2012

Drachen Jager said:
To me, if you describe a book as loud, it doesn't really tell me anything about the book. All it does is make me wonder if it's extremely loud.

There are just certain adjectives that do not fit with some nouns. You've picked one of those.

Aside from all that, you're not supposed to describe your book. You're supposed to SHOW what's in your book, not tell.

who says you cannot describe your book?
One has to describe it if one has to talk about it with others.

quicklime · Feb 27, 2012

catian said:
who says you cannot describe your book?
One has to describe it if one has to talk about it with others.

I think what others are saying (and I would certainly agree) is two-fold:

1. I cannot describe my book (or anyone else's) in a single word. Not in any meaningful, realistic way.

2. the choice you made, "loud", does not work as a descriptor anyway.....because it isn't clear if that is the tone, the over-use of hyperbole or message, or what exactly you mean by "loud".

swvaughn · Feb 27, 2012

My book is BAMF (yo).

Cyia · Feb 27, 2012

swvaughn said:
My book is BAMF (yo).

Every time someone uses that acronym, I expect to see Nightcrawler pop out somewhere :tongue

Drachen Jager · Feb 27, 2012

catian said:
who says you cannot describe your book?
One has to describe it if one has to talk about it with others.

You can describe it, certainly. But it's far more effective to show people why it's a good book than it is to use a bunch of semi-meaningless descriptors about the book.

"It's a great book, people are glued to the pages, you know, on the edges of their seats. There are twists and turns and dreams that might be real, but might not. It'll have you questioning reality, sort of like the Matrix, but not really. It's sad and sweet, there's some mystery, suspense and loads of drama."

"It's about this detective who is in a horrific car accident. When he wakes up he finds his wife is dead, but his son lived. At the end of the day he's exhausted, but instead of falling asleep, he wakes up in the hospital and his wife is alive, but his son is dead. Every time he falls asleep he switches realities, never knowing which (if either) is real." (not mine, describing an upcoming show)

I've over-simplified the example for effect, but I think you get the idea. One is telling about the book, one is showing about the book. Which one would you rather read?

Cyia · Feb 27, 2012

If you have to tell me your book is funny, it's not.
If you have to tell me your book is suspenseful, it's not.
If you have to tell me your book is exciting, it's not.

HoneyBadger · Feb 27, 2012

Cyia- my book is terrible!

describe a book using an adjective (not genre)

Girl Detective

all out of fucks to give

Zombie lovin'

Professor of applied misanthropy

all out of fucks to give

Rewriting My Destiny

terribly loud, emotionally distant

Professor of applied misanthropy

terribly loud, emotionally distant

Rewriting My Destiny

Whatever I did, I didn't do it.

all out of fucks to give

adrift

Rewriting My Destiny

Professor of applied misanthropy

Rewriting My Destiny

terribly loud, emotionally distant