As part of the Blog Post Bingo quest some of us have been working on these past two weeks, I must write an opinion post. This is a very hard one for me, as I'm not the most opinionated person, at least I don't think I am! So I've been struggling with what to write about. I debated arguing the fact that I think the Grammy's are fixed, but I have nothing to base that on. Besides, it would be nice to try and figure out an opinion I have on something book related.
Then I was reminded about a sort of book argument I had with my husband awhile back. He thinks fiction and specifically fantasy, is a waste of time. He feels that non-fiction is the only type of books a person can read and still learn something. (However, sometimes I think he takes this stand just to get me all riled up. Yep, it works!)
So, then of course I start freaking out about how all reading is learning, even if it's fantasy. And that no matter what we read, we are learning something. And that even if the whole purpose of reading is to escape the real world and live for a time in a fantasy one, that's okay. And I know that non-fiction is really great for learning, and I wish I could fit more of it in, but as for me, I tend to crave the fictional, (sometimes realistic, sometimes non,) stories to immerse myself in and forget about the current world and all its too real problems.
So, there's my opinion, simple as it is. How about you? Do you see the benefit of reading fiction, even fantasy? Or do you think that non-fiction is the only way to learn from a book?
I must disagree with your husband. Reading fiction can make you think in ways non-fiction can't. There is so much hidden meaning in the words. You can still learn a lot about another time and place and way of life as well. It's just dressed up a little fancier than non-fiction.
ReplyDeleteI have the same discussion with my mom. She thinks anything that isn't literally true is a waste of time. I have gotten her to read some fiction that she has really enjoyed (The Poisonwood Bible was a favorite of ours) but she only liked it because it was basically a realistic story.
ReplyDeleteI've heard it said that sci-fi/fantasy can tackle important contemporary issues in a serious way without being controversial, simply by setting the conflict in another world.
IMO, the best sci-fi/fantasy is the kind where the characters feel "real" despite the setting, the kind where you could imagine the same sort of problems occurring in your own life. It makes you look at things completely differently.
I really have a hard time with non-fiction books. I can't really picture the characters in my own way as I can with fiction. I love getting pulled into the story, and seeing the characters in my head. I like learning about all the new worlds, and sometimes see similarities between the created world, and older times in our own history. I love the conflicts the characters have to solve in fiction. They may be different conflicts than we would have, but some are very similar to what we would go through, just in a very different setting. Fiction just has that extra spark. It grabs your attention at the beginning,and usually doesn't let you go!
ReplyDeleteThat said, I think I have read only a handful of nonfiction books. They just don't keep me interested. They miss the fun of fiction.
I don't think I have learned anything less by reading fiction though. I learn about standing up for myself, confidence, and looking on the bright side of things. Fantasy is one of my favorite genres, because it is usually a happy ending, and just makes me feel so good when I am finished reading it!:) This post probably didn't make any sense, but hey, I tried!:)
I've met your husband and I have to say that I think he is just trying to rile you up. :)
ReplyDeleteI completely disagree with him anyway for all the reasons everyone has given. Memoirs have become a favorite of mine though, and technically they are non-fiction even though they are usually written in a way that feels like fiction. So I guess for me, I get the most out of books that have a story, characters, relationships, and experiences that I can relate to. In general, I think it's things we can relate to and understand in a personal way that ultimately teach us and changes us more than just facts.
Obviously, I agree with you also. I have the same discussion with some of my brothers, who aren't just trying to get my goat, and we nearly get violent. (They are little brothers, so I can hit them and call them names (: ) Besides the reasons already mentioned, just think about the further implications of such a stance...is the only worthwhile art candid photographs? Are the only good movies documentaries? The real argument is whether there is value in art. Literature, and particularly fiction, is art.
ReplyDeleteMetaphors and hypotheticals are also the most often used methods of teaching. Just think of parables in the Bible.
Better quit. I am opinionated and don't want to get carried away. :)
I read both fiction and non-fiction and I think there is benefit in both. I get tied of the real world sometimes, that's the whole point of my obsession with the fantasy genre... If anything I learn how to relax the minute I get sucked into the world!
ReplyDeleteOne of the very best essays ever on benefits of fantasy stories was by Tolkien (go figure) called 'On Fairy Stories' found in The Tolkien Reader. I loved it! I recommend it to one and all.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I feel like I learn more from fiction about abstract ideas and human relationships, because fantasy can branch so far out and explore so many things in a way that non-fiction can't. But non-fic also gets tedious, dry and hard to read, so that limits what I can take in of the factual stuff. An equal mix does me well.
ReplyDeleteI think fiction makes you think and learn about the human condition more so than nonfiction books.
ReplyDeleteHow did I know you'd all pretty much agree with me? :) Thanks for all the great comments! Doing an opinion post wasn't so bad after all!
ReplyDeleteI also have to disagree with your husband. I grew up with reading parents, and while they read both genres (fiction and non-fiction) and still do, us kids learned pretty early on, that if we wanted a book, any book really, then it was okay, as long as we READ. It didn't matter if it was silly, trashy, smart, fiction or non-fiction, anything went as long as we read. And the lines were very broad. Nothing was too silly or too trashy or considered dangerous. So whether we wanted fringy "scientific" comic books or serious YA or non-fiction about how to avoid pregnancies, we got it (although I have to say that the pregnancy/puberty books were often taken home from the library and hidden with blushing cheeks).
ReplyDeleteJust wanted you to know that I disagree with your husband, too, for all the reasons stated above! I've learned so much from reading fiction. I mostly read realistic fiction but think the sci-fi/fantasy type also has a lot to offer and makes the reader think about things in a totally new way.
ReplyDeleteWell, I know we talked about this at our Utah Book Bloggers Bash but I do know a LOT of people who think fiction is a waste of time. If they are going to take the time, they are going to learn something! Since when do we not learn something from fiction?! I love fiction and I love non-fiction. I read both and love both. There is room for both.
ReplyDeleteI don't think fiction is a waste of time but I don't know about learning from fiction. I guess I'm the only one leaning towards your husbands opinion.
ReplyDeleteI much prefer nonfiction. I love learning. However I do love memoirs which although they are nonfiction, aren't like you are learning something usually.
Congrats on winning BIP Bingo by the way.