Or the introduction — or the preface of a novel?
The short answer is yes.
The honest answer is not always.
I’ll admit that I often skim the foreword, introduction, preface (let’s just say the FIP) if they run too long. I’ve come across a good 30 – 40 page FIP before. So, I probably skim at least half of it — but only if I’m not as interested in the details of a novel before I read it.
Sometimes I’ll read a novel and then go back to read the FIP because it will help clear some confusion I may have.
My favorite FIPs are short, informative, and have just enough information about the text not to make me feel like I need to read the novel to understand what they’re talking about.
The worst FIPs are way, way too lengthy and talk so much about the text that you feel like you no longer need to read it.
Ah, I’m being picky, I know. Really, there are no ‘worst’ FIPs, but ones that I’m personally more likely to skim through.
The only times I skip the FIP all together is when I started falling asleep while reading it. Which has happened a few times. I feel a little guilty, but would rather not struggle to read through a boring FIP when I can just read the novel instead.
Okay, okay – but should you read the FIP? How important are they?
It’s the snob in me that says, yes you should and yes they are important. There’s a reason for them. Whether it’s to share insight into the author and therefore insight into the novel, or to help understand why a novel is written a certain way.
Most of the time the FIP will give me a good foundation to start with, especially before tackling a classic novel.
Do you read the FIP? Why or why not?
I read prefaces if I can see that they introduce stories/worlds (usually a science fiction or fantasy book), but I pass over other types of forewards, like the history of the publication for a classic novel. If I finish the book and like it, then I go back and read the foreward.-)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do not read them, usually. Mostly because I’m lazy lol. I only read FIPs if I’m reading the book for a second time i.e. love the book enough to read it a second time like Robert Bly’s Iron John – A Book About Men. (No, that’s not a book about metal toilets because men pee wildly in bathrooms and would decorate walls with urine, if they could. Just sayin’.) Or if I’ve heard a lot about the book and am excited about the read i.e. a book like Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. I read Hitchhiker’s Guide before it was a movie. Two buddies read it and loved it and suggested it to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m usually pretty lazy when it comes to reading them, which is why I find myself reading the first few pages and skimming the rest on most.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great question! If the foreword is by someone other then the author, I’d skip it; the danger is that you’ll be reading something by someone who wants to show you how clever they are – and there will be spoilers! If it’s by the author, then it’s more likely to be important or pertinent (but maybe still optional).
LikeLiked by 1 person
No that you say it, I have to agree with writers other than the author trying to show how clever they are. Or, they have a particular perspective of the novel and they want you to have that same perspective. (And yes, spoilers! I find that most annoying)
LikeLike
If it’s got a prologue in it – skip it. The author can’t possibly be that good to warrant a story out side of a story. First line, first paragraph, first page. Tell me a tale or you lose — next!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I haven’t come across a novel with a prologue I couldn’t live without.
LikeLiked by 1 person
For me, it depends. I’ve been reading a lot of translations of classical novels recently, and I find the introductions/forwards are so important because it helps me understand the other language and how they translated it. It also gives me a hint to the translator’s bias. However, if it’s an English novel, usually I read the first page (just to see if it says anything important) and then I skip forward. So many times introductions and forwards are just a way to summarize the book, which I hate (especially if it contains spoilers)!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, if it’s a classic novel the intro is always full of spoilers. I assume because they think everyone has already read it or that it’s so popular that everyone already knows the details.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I read forewords. Usually they’re short, interesting and get me intrigued for what’s to come 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never thought about this. I’m the idiot that reads EVERYTHING. I mean I read the book jacket front to back, the insides too. I read every review (can you tell I often don’t buy first prints?) and even the thank you at the end. I mean if it’s in the book I read it. I’m funny that way – I find it all part of the experience.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think you’re an idiot! I think you’re dedicated. Since it’s the 21st century I’m allowed to blame my short attention span on tech (right?) lol but I’m trying to rewire my brain. Though, I do enjoy reading the thank yous at the end, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I think they are so fun! You never know who they will put in there.
LikeLiked by 1 person