Is it the blurb, the hook, the first chapter you skim through, the style, the picture of the photogenic author on the back cover ... all of the above? I'm referring here to a new writer you know nothing, or almost nothing, about. You certainly know nothing about plot and character development in that book unless you read it in the bookstore before you part with your money.
For me, the blurb works (it tells me what the book is about), as well as the style. I don't buy many books written in the 1st pov -- not that I'm biased against it, but I'm not writing in this pov for the time being. Exception, Pat Conroy.
The hook doesn't work either. I'm sure that beyond the hook (or lack of) there's a story in those three hundreds or so pages. But the style, yes. Which brings me to another topic: style, prose, voice, and what it means to you. To me, it is important, decisive when buying the book.
Adagio
For me, the blurb works (it tells me what the book is about), as well as the style. I don't buy many books written in the 1st pov -- not that I'm biased against it, but I'm not writing in this pov for the time being. Exception, Pat Conroy.
The hook doesn't work either. I'm sure that beyond the hook (or lack of) there's a story in those three hundreds or so pages. But the style, yes. Which brings me to another topic: style, prose, voice, and what it means to you. To me, it is important, decisive when buying the book.
Adagio