I still remember the first time it happened.
Many years ago, a friend recommended I read a book. She'd read it, her sister and mother had read it, and so she felt pretty confident about the novel's power over people. She warned that if I read it too, then I should be prepared: The book had made everyone a little paranoid about their personal security. She said she would crawl into bed at night (she lived alone, as did I at the time), then she'd have to get up and check and re-check her doors and windows.
The book was Patricia Cornwell's Postmortem (Kay Scarpetta Series).
And my friend was right! I did get up to check and double check my locks.
I keep thinking I should re-read that book now that I know more about writing to see how Ms. Cornwell created such an intense connection with her readership.
Hmm... Maybe I should do that this summer.
~~~
Has a novel ever influenced you? If so, in what way? What was the book?
3 comments:
In a different way Something Wonderful by Judith McNaught influenced me more on a writing level. She switches back and forth on POV (a definite no-no) - but it makes the book better. And her characters are so memorable. She also managed to squeeze every emotion imaginable out of me.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_23?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=something+wonderful+by+judith+mcnaught&sprefix=Something+Wonderful+by+%2Cstripbooks%2C290
Mary - That's great! I don't think I've read that book. I'll have to check it out.
Wow, that is so cool. No that has never happened to me. But I have read books where the words, phrases and speech patterns have stayed with me.
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