Ban introductions

You're right - Sometimes the blurbs and intros kind of spoil the read with almost a foreshadowing of what's to come in the story- Or the writers "voice" in the intro is significantly different than the rest of the book, as if they could be two completely different people-

Then there's the exhaustive intros .. the ones where they have to explain half the book in advance so that you can understand what they're talking about, some so darn long they could actually be a separate book altogether ..

like a companion book ...a book to explain the book .. along with a workbook ...and another companion book to read after completing the main body of work .. which sometimes leave you wondering if you read the same story they did!

hollysteers What was the "marvellous book"?

It’s often interesting or enlightening to read them after you’ve finished the book. I don’t think I’ve ever bothered beforehand, unless perhaps it was a set book. I do tend to read very fast, though, so an introduction may highlight aspects I’d skimmed over the first time.
Among others, most (maybe all) of Barbara Pym’s have an introduction by somebody well known.
(I’ve been re reading many of hers lately.)

I was wondering that too Sparklefizz!

What is the book? The suspense is killing me.....this thread is a real page turner!

Lucca ??

Since one can ignore introductions, there is no need to ban them. By not reading them one has effectively suppressed them for one's own purposes while still allowing others the same freedom of choice.

Far worse are the TV programmes “still to come” intros

OP was in the wee small hours so don’t think will be awake etc yet. We shall have to wait. Meanwhile any good books you’ve read anyone (she said, hijacking the thread) ?
Where the crawdads sing “. I just read. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

Yes, I've just finished Crawdads, Lucca. Wasn't sure about it at first, but then really liked it. I have also read "The Wolf Border" by Sarah Hall which I enjoyed, and "The Dutch House" by Ann Patchett - another good book.

Always read them after I have finished the book.

The book was ‘Someone at a Distance” by Dorothy Whipple.
Well defined characters, a goodie, a baddie etc.
Now to read everything she ever wrote, GW.

Thanks holly

It's the same with film trailers - they often show you far too much in advance and spoil the story for you.

You don’t have to read them, so why ban them?

I think the blurb on the back of books can be spoilers. I like to have an inkling of what a book is about but sometimes the back cover tells you just about everything that happens!

Like SueDonim I like just an inkling of the contents not a run down of the whole story. As for extended reviews on Amazon when buying for my kindle, these are really irritating. I sometimes get the impression that certain reviewers feel the need to be in competition with the author with such long winded, over detailed descriptions and a full cast of character analysis.

I agree too.

Yes, Toscalily the reviews where people basically post a shortened version of the book are very odd. If I want to know the story, I’ll read it!

I always read the introduction after the book. A well written one adds to my enjoyment.
My bete noir is the list of questions for your book group to use in discussing the book. Like your about 13 years old.
I've just read On Chapel Sands with my book group. Excellent. Everyone enjoyed it, which is unusual.
Where the Crawdad Sings seems to be a very marmite book. Several friends have loved it, but I really disliked it. Young woman brings herself up in a swamp eating raw mussels and commuting with seagulls. Yet turns into a dazzling beauty. Yeh right. And the poetry - so awful.

COMMUNING!

flopen

COMMUNING!

Commuting was far more fun!

flopen

I always read the introduction after the book. A well written one adds to my enjoyment.
My bete noir is the list of questions for your book group to use in discussing the book. Like your about 13 years old.
I've just read On Chapel Sands with my book group. Excellent. Everyone enjoyed it, which is unusual.
Where the Crawdad Sings seems to be a very marmite book. Several friends have loved it, but I really disliked it. Young woman brings herself up in a swamp eating raw mussels and commuting with seagulls. Yet turns into a dazzling beauty. Yeh right. And the poetry - so awful.

How odd Ive not met a single person who didn’t love the book !