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Last
week I read The Fault in Our Stars by
John Green. Raise your hand if you’ve read this novel. If you’re hand is lifted, I bet it's clutching a soggy tissue. Holy waterworks is this novel amazing.
I loved the way John Green delved deep into the heavy-duty issues of sickness
and health, life and death, yet sprinkled in wit at the exact moments when the
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| Photo by Grafixar at www.morguefile.com |
reader (or, at least, this reader) needed relief in the form of a smile. As in
life, when situations get tough, a grin, a snicker, or a laugh is welcome
medicine.
Yet,
wit can be tricky. It’s about perception. It’s intelligent rather than
slapstick. And although what I find hilarious may not be what another person finds
funny, some elements of wit seem almost universal. Don’t you smile or snicker
at an unexpected perspective or absurdity? Don’t you giggle or at least grin at
a surprise understatement? This sort of wit often stems from characters
and their actions. So, it can make these characters more
endearing. The Fault in Our Stars is
a great example of character wit. And yes, these characters are endearing--thus, the tissues.
Have
you read a novel ripe with wit? Do you appreciate it in writing?
If
you are a writer, do you incorporate wit into your writing? If so, what sort of wit works best for you?
Probably the most recent read with mucho wit was Richard Russo's "Nobody's Fool". I loved it. And I do try to incorporate wit when appropriate. How successfully is a matter of opinion. I'll have to take a look for The Fault in our Stars.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read "Nobody's Fool." I'll have to check this out. Thanks, JeffO.
DeleteI haven't read this one yet, but it's on my list. I do appreciate wit, and I'm usually in awe of the authors who do it well. I just finished reading A Little Wanting Song by Cath Crowley and there were several wonderful moments of unexpected perspective that made me laugh out loud.
ReplyDeleteI'm in awe of authors who have the gift of wit, as well. I always welcome it when I'm reading. Laughing out loud is a treat. : )
DeleteI adore John Green. Among my favorites LOOKING FOR ALASKA, PAPER TOWNS and WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON (the last co-written with David Levithan), but I've been avoiding FAULT. The reason is the subject matter hitting too close to home right now. Someday I'll probably read it and I'm so glad to hear all the accolades coming in.
ReplyDeleteOh, Tricia, I'm sorry to hear that the subject matter is close to you right now. Ouch. But I doubt that book is going anywhere. When you're ready, it will be waiting for you. In the meanwhile, I wish you comfort.
DeleteI do like writing with wit. I am incorporating some wit into my WIP. I think it's working.
ReplyDeleteAnd now I can't wait to read your WIP. : ) Thanks, Loree.
DeleteTerry Pratchett novels brim to overfilling with wit!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the review and intro to this author!! Take care
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I have got to read Terry Pratchett. Thanks, Old Kitty!
ReplyDeleteI love novels that make me laugh, then cry, and when I close the cover, I do so reluctantly because I really want more of it.
ReplyDeleteI hang my head in shame because I haven't read this Green book. It's been on my list and I've simply not had the time. I'm really looking forward to summer and some lazy days of being lost in great books--his included.
Thanks for stopping in at the Write Game. Loved your visit.
It sounds like this is the novel for you. I hope you enjoy it.
DeleteAnd, by the way, I love your blog! : )
I haven't read this book, no. That's so great that in a kleenex-drenching kind of novel, there are bits of wit and humor spread around. I love that! I'm not a fan of slapstick, myself, and prefer the "intelligent" kind. ;o) I snicker over really subtle things, even things as simple as word choice, or the way something is phrased!
ReplyDeleteAh, yes, Carol, word choice and phrasing can make me giggle, too. I think that's a sign of being a writer. : )
DeleteI haven't read this book, but I know what you mean about wit. I remember in the movie Steel Magnolias, where the four women are leaving the graveyard, and I was bawling like a baby. Then the Shirley Maclaine character does her little spiel, and I was rolling with laughter.
ReplyDeletePerfect example, Donna! And oh how I love that movie. Shirley Maclaine was hilarious in it.
DeleteI haven't read this novel, but I do like novels with wit.
ReplyDeleteYou'd probably like most of John Green's novels, then, Carol. I think his writing has lots of lively wit.
DeleteCynthia - I have not read John Green's latest novel, The Fault in Our Stars, but it is now on my list. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy the read, Victoria.
DeleteI have read that one, but yes I do enjoy punchy wit that doesn't feel staged.
ReplyDelete"Punchy wit" is the perfect way to put it, Michelle. Thanks.
DeleteI have to read it still, but I'm nervous. I cry easy, and this one sounds like it will do me in. :(
ReplyDeleteI love writing wit, but it has to feel right, and it doesn't always feel right in my stories.
It might do you in, Stina, but in a good way. . . if that makes any sense. : )
DeleteAnd I know what you mean about wit needing to feel right.
I've heard a lot about this novel but I've not read it. Maybe I should...
ReplyDeleteI'd love to know what you think if you do read it, Lynda.
DeleteI haven't read anything by this author, but he's good if he can arouse all this emotion in you. Love me some wit every time. :)
ReplyDeleteWit is awesome, isn't it? : )
DeleteI just got an email from a former student who told me I HAVE to read The Fault in Our Stars. I think I'll curl up in front of the fire with some tissues and take her advice. I love Libba Bray's, Going Bovine. The MC is suffering from mad cow disease and his psychological journey is hysterical and heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteLeslie, I loved Going Bovine, too! You're so right: hysterical and heartbreaking. Happy reading!
DeleteI have been hearing so much good stuff about this book! Must, must give it a try (though I'm definitely not up for a heavy read right now, with or without humor). It sounds like it has what Steel Magnolias has - the depth and heartache mixed with funny lines that ring so, so true. Or, as SM puts it, "Laughter through tears".
ReplyDeleteAnd, yes, I love to both read and write funny lines mixed in with the more serious stuff. Makes things so much more fun, and makes the scenes and characters resonate on so many more levels.
And what could be better than fun writing that makes scenes and characters resonate on many levels? Thanks, Caryn!
ReplyDeleteI love witty, clever writing.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to read this book, but it's definitely on my (long) list!
Ah, I know what you mean about the long list, Kelly. : )
DeleteI read this book. It's amazing how Green balances deep issues with moments of joy and humor. I laughed and cried.
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Medeia. Somehow the laughter felt more meaningful or cathartic due to the tears.
DeleteI can't seem to write without at least some level of wit. Even in the toughest stories I like it. That's true when I'm reading too. It's important to me.
ReplyDeleteThat's great, Lisa! I'd be willing to bet that wit is part of your personality or at least comes naturally to you--and that you fun to be around. : )
DeleteHand raised. I too thought the mix of wit and seriousness struck just the right balance. I think it's the best JG novel yet. It supplanted An Abundance of Katherines as my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Marcia. Although, An Abundance of Katherines is the only JG novel I haven't read. Yet. : )
Deletehave an interesting space, a great pleasure to read you.
ReplyDeleteif you like the poetry I invite you to my space.
happy day.
a greeting.
Thank you, Ricardo. I'll be by to visit.
DeleteThis is one of my faves so far this year. And I think one of the reasons it was bearable was because of the humor. I tend not to go for these type of stories, so I appreciated the the wit gave me a break when things got too much.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I have such a dry wit, I'm not sure if I can transfer to the page. We'll see. :)
I agree, Karen! The wit and humor was so well placed and such a relief.
DeleteAnd lucky you for having a dry wit. I hope it transfers. : )
It always amazes me when i write something that makes someone laugh unexpectedly. It's when the reader identifies with it that it works. i wish I was better at it. I haven't read The Fault in Our Stars but I'm tempted...
ReplyDeleteSo true, Madeleine--wit and humor only work when the reader identifies with it. Great point.
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