At first you may think, wait, what? Guys are just as imaginative as the next person! Look at the wonderful imaginations of all the wonderful writers out there, who are male. And look at the major demographic who goes to, say for instance, Brandon Sanderson's book signings. Lots and lots of guys.
But at the same time, isn't it interesting that I've had this very conversation regarding fiction and its merits with people in my family. Once I was asked, by a guy in my family, "why should I read fiction? You don't learn anything!" Whoa, did that get me going!
In fact my husband and son both will come to me for their next book selection and request, "I want something real." Which is fine and all good, but it makes me wonder if they ever enjoy the fiction that they DO read. Or are they sort of suffering through it.
Then there's the hard evidence of our book blogging world where male book bloggers make up a very small minority. (I love it when I find an awesome guy book blog to read! Their different perspective is refreshing.) Perhaps it's because guys aren't so much into blogging...but then again perhaps it IS because they aren't so much into reading... especially fiction.
I don't know. What do you think? I just found the whole discussion fascinating and have been dying to throw it out here and see what you all thought about it! Do you see people in your life, guys especially who poo poo fiction and fantasy? Or is it completely the opposite in your experience? Are guys the biggest consumers of this genre? Imagination vs. guys vs. fiction vs fantasy. What's the real scoop?
The number of guys who I would consider close friends who read fiction are comparatively few in comparison to those who do not read at all, or only read nonfiction. But those who do read fiction are passionate about doing so.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct, by comparison there are few male book bloggers, especially when you winnow down to genres that males are particularly drawn to, like SFF for instance. I've noticed among the SFF community that even those who have blogs and post regularly rarely visit other SFF blogs and engage in conversation. It is odd and I am not sure what that is about, really.
I for one revel in the fact that escape to a world of imagination through fiction (my first love) and through films and video games is one of my favorite things to do. And I could talk about those fictional worlds and the characters that inhabit them until I am blue in the face. But I realize I am in the minority and I'm certainly doing all I can with being an ambassador in the book blogging community to get other guys to join in and engage in a love affair with reading.
It is telling that I have never come across any woman in my life who made a statement similar to "why would I read fiction, its not real" and yet I have heard several guys poo-poo the idea of reading fiction as a useless exercise. Are we still that out of touch with our feelings or still so married to this ingrained image of being macho and mature that we cannot embrace fiction? If so that is very sad.
I like football as much as the next guy and can sit talking about sports for hours with passion and interest. But that same "me" can and does embrace sitting down and reading a good book, be it a science fiction thriller or a Jane Austen novel. I feel sorry for guys who cannot as I feel they are missing out on one of the most basic pleasures of life.
Carl: I'm so glad you saw this and responded! I was really curious to know what you thought of this concept. It's interesting that you have had similar experiences with other guys not caring for fiction. But I'm so glad you are not one of them! :) Thanks for your comment.
DeleteMaybe I just don't know enough guys, but I'm actually often frustrated at other people's lack of interest in non-fiction, men and women alike. I like fiction, of course, but I find that a lot of non-fiction doesn't get the praise or interest it deserves. I see the trend sliding toward YA sci-fi and fantasy more than anything else; it seems like everybody reads it, regardless of gender. I personally haven't seen this side of men who are only interested in non-fiction. If people aren't interested in fiction, I would think it's more an individual thing than anything based on gender.
ReplyDeleteAs far as blogging, it's true there aren't many male book bloggers out there, but I actually recently did some research on men's and women's different uses of the Internet and I think that's based more on women's ability and desire to be social about their interests (i.e., talking to other people about them) whereas men tend to be more direct, get-it-done types, not as interested in chatting about their reading or other interests.
Emily: I agree that non fiction gets overlooked, especially here in the book blogging world. I would love to fit more in to my reading line up, but the fiction always seems to win out in the end! And, interesting finding about men vs women on the internet. I can totally see that. Thanks so much for commenting!
DeleteI too love when I find a guy who is a book blogger... just not enough of them.
ReplyDeleteAngie
Angela's Anxious Life
Angie: There's not many, but the few that do are pretty awesome. :)
DeleteWell, you know how I feel about this subject. I really can't figure out why it does seem like guys are in the majority of fiction haters, though. It must have something to do with their chemistry....or something. I just don't get it.
ReplyDeleteJenny: Chemistry maybe! Something! But then, how do we explain the fantasy guys? You know the ones....
Deletewonderful post Suey! you have me thinking...
ReplyDeleteI haven't encountered this non- over fiction snobbery from a male mouth, though I know a lot more males who read non- vs. women who do. or rather, different types of non-.
I agree with sadness over the smaller male book bloggers quotient, and enjoy those I've found--was glad to see Carl respond, too.
Maybe it is my degree program and the people with whom I happen to be acquainted(including family members), but I know a lot of men that read, and a lot of them either read both non- and fiction in balance or a lot of SFF w/ Real in balance. Or they read a lot of big-L Literary work/authors. That said. I am curious about how time might play a role. Besides reading slower than the daughter and I (though he retains every freakish word), my husband doesn't have a lot of time to read--though he does opt for audio on occasion/situation.
~L (omphaloskepsis)
"smaller male book bloggers"...is that a crack on my height? :)
DeleteJust kidding.
Time probably does factor in whether someone reads or not but what surprises me is how hostile some guys are towards the idea of reading fiction. Again, my experience is that I have some great conversations online and in person with guys who are passionate with a capital "P" about reading fiction. A great many of these are into reading SFF and I wonder if some of the lack of exposure to guys blogging is from people who don't read a lot of those genres and so don't stumble across those bloggers? Just curious.
It's an interesting concept. I was thinking about my own (limited) experience with guys and readers in general in my life. One of my brothers is a huge reader, but does mostly focus on nonfiction. I've never heard him disparage fiction, probably because he enjoys that too, but he just is more interested in nonfic. Another of my brothers loves reading, but lacks the time. I think he reads more nonfic just by nature of his career. But I know he loves a good fantasy. My third brother doesn't read much at all, but he's never been a reader. My mother is actually the one that I've heard say she doesn't like fiction. She prefers to read "real" stories. I think that's just the things she likes. She'll read some historical fiction, but again would rather just read nonfic about the time period.
ReplyDeleteAnd one final example, my dad, who I thought never used to like reading, because he never had time, has become a huge reader! And he is very undiscerning in his choices - he'll pretty much read anything that someone hands to him. Any genre, any book. It's rather interesting to see him and my mom's different reading choices :)
And on that long and rambling note, I think there is more of a tendency for boys to prefer nonfiction, but I also don't think it's necessarily that they fiction is stupid, it's just what many of them prefer.
Melissa: My dad is similar in that he seems to enjoy any book, even the YA. But my mom, no way. So... see there, we've just disproved the whole concept with our own parents! :)
DeleteThe one guy I know (in person) who really reads, only seems to read non-fiction. But I've never heard him dismiss fiction as being useless, so not sure if that has anything to do with it. I find I learn quite a bit from fiction, myself, and it does fire the imagination so!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that men do, in general, seem not as drawn to fiction but I think maybe that's thinking of fiction a little too narrowly. My son is a huge reader of fiction - but not what we would call literary fiction. He loves prefers fantasy (think Lord of the Rings trilogy)or huge sweeping sagas (Game of Thrones series, for example). Which makes me wonder if men only read at the extremes - either non-fiction or books that are far more made up.
ReplyDeleteThat is certainly possible and I wish I had a better bead on this from a guy's point of view but myself and so many of the male readers I have contact with are just big fiction readers. I belong to a science fiction book club and we weekly talk about what we are reading. There is a pretty good mix of guys and girls there and our weekly read discussions show that there are a lot of men who read nonfiction (largely science based and essays on the club) and a wide variety of fiction outside of the SFF genre. Now if you look at all of our blogs during different times it seems like our focus is really narrow. If you looked on mine now you would swear I only read SF, and while that is my favorite genre I read a lot of stuff during the year. It would not be a surprise to see Anne of Green Gables reads along with the latest science fiction sensation.
DeleteOutside of the SFF blogging world I know several guys who read a lot of YA, translations, LGBQT fiction, etc.
The next time I hear a guy talk about not liking fiction I'm going to have to corner him and get a more detailed opinion as to why that is the case.