WHY SO MANY BOOKS FEEL THE SAME 🤔

Summary

The video script discusses the repetitive elements found in many recent fantasy and romance novels, which contribute to a sense of déjà vu for readers. It identifies common tropes such as the prevalence of fairies, modern language in a fantasy setting, snarky protagonists, and the 'enemies to lovers' dynamic. The speaker also critiques the lack of depth in character development and world-building, suggesting that these overused elements can make books feel unoriginal. The goal is to encourage both readers and writers to seek or create more unique and compelling narratives.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video discusses the repetitive nature of certain elements in books, particularly in the fantasy and romance genres, that make them feel like carbon copies of each other.
• 🔄 The speaker highlights the cyclical nature of trends and tropes in literature, such as the prevalence of dragons and vampires in fantasy, and how they can become overused.
• 🏰 The script mentions the influence of 'Lord of the Rings' on classic fantasy, suggesting that it took time for the genre to branch out and develop its own unique elements.
• 💭 The speaker is concerned with the similarity in fantasy and romance novels, particularly how they often rely on overused tropes and lack originality.
• 🧝‍♀️ 'Fay' or fairies are noted as a common element in many new fantasy books, appearing in various forms and often lacking uniqueness.
• 🗣️ The use of modern or colloquial language in fantasy novels is criticized for clashing with the setting and not providing a believable dialogue style.
• 😡 The prevalence of snarky main characters is discussed, with the speaker expressing frustration at characters that are both unnecessarily hostile and illogical.
• 💔 The 'enemies to lovers' trope is pointed out as being overused, with the transformation from animosity to love often feeling forced and lacking depth.
• 🔥 The script criticizes novels that focus on physical attraction ('all lust no love') rather than developing a meaningful romantic relationship.
• 🚪 The 'doormat' character is highlighted as a common but unsatisfactory love interest who lacks personality and exists only to support the main character.
• 👥 The speaker calls for more dynamic and nuanced relationships in novels, rather than the extremes of submissive or abusive partners.
• 🌐 The script touches on the issue of underdeveloped fantasy worlds, suggesting that readers are looking for more depth and originality in world-building.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the video script?

The main issue discussed in the video script is the feeling of repetitiveness in books, particularly in the fantasy and romance genres, where certain elements and tropes are overused, making many books feel like carbon copies of each other.

What are some common elements that contribute to the feeling of reading the 'same book over and over again'?

Common elements include the overuse of certain tropes like 'enemies to lovers', 'fay' characters, modern colloquial language in fantasy settings, snarky main characters, and underdeveloped world-building.

Why might the use of 'fay' characters be problematic in some books?

The use of 'fay' characters can be problematic when they are overused or lack originality, leading to a sense of repetitiveness and a lack of uniqueness in the fantasy world.

What does the speaker mean by 'modern or colloquial language' in the context of fantasy stories?

The speaker refers to the use of contemporary, informal language by characters in fantasy settings, which can feel out of place and clash with the world-building, detracting from the immersive experience.

How does the speaker view the portrayal of 'snarky' main characters in books?

The speaker finds the portrayal of snarky main characters problematic when it is combined with idiocy, meaning characters that are unnecessarily antagonistic or resistant to help without logical reasons, which can be frustrating to readers.

What is the 'enemies to lovers' trope and why might it be overused?

The 'enemies to lovers' trope is a common storyline where characters who initially dislike each other eventually fall in love. It might be overused because it taps into the idea of breaking down barriers and finding common ground, but it can feel repetitive if not executed with nuance.

What is the issue with 'all lust no love' in the context of romance in books?

The issue with 'all lust no love' is that it reduces romantic relationships to mere physical attraction without developing emotional connections or meaningful interactions between characters, which can be unsatisfying for readers looking for depth in their romance stories.

Why does the speaker criticize the use of 'doormat' love interests in books?

The speaker criticizes 'doormat' love interests because they lack personality and agency, serving only to support the main character without any real dynamic or growth, which can make the relationship feel one-sided and unrealistic.

What is the problem with characters constantly referring to each other as 'males' or 'females'?

The problem is that it can feel dehumanizing and overly simplistic, reducing characters to their basic biological sexes rather than treating them as individuals with unique identities and personalities.

What does the speaker suggest about the influence of Sarah J. Maas on fantasy romance?

The speaker suggests that while it's okay to be inspired by Sarah J. Maas, overt influence can lead to a lack of originality, with many books feeling like they are just rehashing her themes, characters, and world-building elements.

Why is the underdevelopment of fantasy worlds a concern for readers?

The underdevelopment of fantasy worlds is a concern because it can make the setting feel generic or irrelevant to the story, leaving readers without a rich and immersive backdrop that is a key aspect of the fantasy genre.