I get such a kick out of all the different types of writers and books and readers there are in the world. It’s just plain thrilling. The best part is it reinforces the notion that we can all focus on writing the stories we love, and if we write them well, there will be readers who’ll enjoy them.
And, of course, those who don’t, but that’s not the subject of this post and really, does it matter? If we’ve done the hard work and produced a quality book, it’s still not going to appeal to everyone anyway, so why stress about it?
I just finished reading The Goblin Emporer by Katherine Addison. I thoroughly enjoyed it even though nothing happens in the book. Yeah, nothing happens. There are probably 2 pages of action out of 447. I know some readers who would rather spend a night with the stomach flu, bowing to the bowl, than suffer through the lack of a riveting plot.
Yet to me the book was engaging. The pace was graceful, and the main character, a goblin named Maia, was exquisitely real, his emotional life written with meticulous care. I wanted to jump into the pages and hug him. It’s one of those books where you’re pulling and pulling and pulling for the main character. Even without a plot.
Maia is the youngest, half-goblin son of the Emperor of the Elflands and has lived his entire life in exile, lonely, uneducated, and missing his dead mother, the only person who ever treated him kindly. When his father and brothers are killed in an “accident,” he is heir to the throne and completely ill-equipped for the intrigue and subtleties of court politics. He’s a kind, sincere young goblin, whose gentle approach endears him to some and leaves him vulnerable to others. The entire book takes place during the first winter of his reign and covers the painful steps he takes coming into his own. Maia’s journey is far from over by the end of the book, but there’s a glimmer of good things ahead.
Yes, there is a character arc, a modest one. In The Goblin Emperor, it’s the only forward progress in the book, because, yup, nothing else happens.
Aside from those of us who live for character-driven books, how did Addison achieve such wide appeal with a book lacking any hustle and bustle? Partly, in my opinion, by making the extraordinarily clever choice to tell the tale with goblins. Goblins characters and their goblin world switched up the entire story into something unique. I wonder if I would have liked the book as much if Addison wrote about an average human boy. Hmmm, probably not.
Addison’s world-building was complex, a whole geography and history, customs and rituals, philosophies and religions backing up the narrative. I got a kick out of most of it, particularly the character descriptions, the precise style of speech, and elaborate clothing. I will mention one significant challenge: the names of most of the places and characters were confusing – unpronounceable and so similar to each other that, other than the main players, I didn’t know who was who. And yet I still loved the read.
For me, this book reinforced a few notions about writing:
1. Write what you love, that story bursting to be told
2. It isn’t necessary to conform to methods and rules
3. Bust the paradigms and be wildly creative
4. Write the absolute best book you can
5. There are readers who will enjoy your words.
Happy Writing!
Myths of the Mirror 
So true, Diana! Hope you’re doing great!
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I’m in editing mode, Patrick, and some days my head is stuffed with custard. But overall, good as can be. Hope your spring is shaping up nicely 😀
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It has been so cool…they say it’s a blackberry winter…or spring? Probably will be hotter than the dickens soon!
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Thanks for this review Diane. It sounds like a book I might enjoy.😊
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If you try it out, I hope you do. Just bear with the names and the story is great. Thanks for the visit Khaya. Hope you’re having a peaceful week. 🙂
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fascinating. Sounds like literary fiction disguised as fantasy? I find literary fiction is often slower than other genres. I think you’re right though. I have loved some utterly bizarre books. Books that typically I shouldn’t like but just did. Isn’t that just the wonderful magic of stories? I’d be interested to know what the plot actually was of this story!
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I hadn’t thought about the genre crossover. I love that! This book writing stuff is only limited by our imaginations 😀
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I loved the Goblin King. I felt that the poor half breed Goblin who got yanked from his rural life and thrown into the dangerous politics of the royal court was interesting. He had to adapt to a new life and learn who to trust and who to not trust while making life and death decisions for his subjects.
Intriguing review. Definitely interest catching.
Glad your WordPress is back on track. I have no idea if I’ve been compromised. Are you getting my blog?
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Yes, I’m getting your blog. It does appear that some bogs I followed were dropped and I’m adding them back as I find them. Did you struggle with the names as much as I did?
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Absolutely. Often it threw me out of the story. Why did he decide that? There are goblin names and elven names that are easier.
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My thoughts exactly. It was an unfortunate choices…world building gone a bit too far. Aside from that, I was thoroughly entertained!
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I definitely agree. Anything written with heart ends up standing out. I think I came across a description of this book somewhere else and it didn’t sound very appealing. Your post made me rethink it. It sounds exactly like something I would love. Thank you for writing such a great review!
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You’re welcome. There are definitely people that didn’t like this book (if you peruse the reviews). But I found it so unique on many levels. Thank so much for stopping by and reading 🙂
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I’d say something was definitely happening, simmering and bubbling away beneath the surface, judging by your reaction! 😁 We are told how to write these days, to get straight into the action, no one’s got much time to spend reading, hook em with that first killer line. But few of the old classics are written that way, and we all still love em. Sometimes a story needs to be allowed to develop, and given space to ‘breathe’.
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I so agreed, Ali. There was a character arc (small steps but exquisitely writtern) and basically that was the “action.” The book was so unusual compared to how we are told to write. If you look at the reviews, not everyone was swept away, but it’s a best seller 🙂
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That speaks for itself, then. 😁
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Hahaha the title reminds me of an old Monty Python sketch.
It had a Michael Palin voiceover – it was something like: ‘East Chiswich. On what seemed like a normal Sunday afternoon. Mr Bloggs of number 72 Acacia Drive stepped out of his house to go to the shops when…. Nothing happened!!!!’ 😁
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It was supposed to be catchy, Kate. 🙂 I was amazed that I enjoyed a book where nothing happened!
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There are two statements you made I strongly agree with: write what you love and everyone is not going to love your book anyways, regardless of how great it is.
I agree with the rest too, but those two points really stick out. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks, Diane. More reasons not to worry about review and focus on writing a great book. Thanks for the visit 🙂 Happy Writing.
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That sounds interesting!
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It was a very unusual book. I had to go with the flow on the names, but the rest of it was superb. Thanks so much for reading and commenting 🙂 Safe journeys.
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Great review about a book where nothing happens, yet you still enjoyed it. I highly agree with your last 5 pointers. There is something for everyone, and we must write what our hearts ask us to. 🙂
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Thanks, Debby. I was being a little tongue-in-cheek about nothing happening. The character’s arc is “something” and though his steps are tiny, they’re beautifully written. Yes, there is something for all of us!
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No worries Diana, I understood the tongue-in-cheek, lol. 🙂
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The Gobler Emperor seems like an interesting story, if you have the chance then please check out my blog at Gastradamus, Let us know what you think of our new post, “The Young and the Brestless”. Your input would be awesome.
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Thanks for the visit and I certainly will. It’s late here…so in the morning I’ll stop by to say hello. 🙂
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I love this review and what you said about enjoying reading and different authors! IT sounds like a very nice read even though nothing much happens! Thanks!
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Thanks for visiting and commenting, Lynn. It was a great read for me, though it won’t be for everyone. And that’s just fine. I love that there’s so much variety out there. 🙂
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That is so wonderful that you have that love for reading and literature and variety!
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I have to say that I enjoy the honesty of your review! I agree that if the characters are written well enough then you are going to enjoy the read (or at least in my case that is true).
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The main character is exquisite, Christy. Terribly humble and insecure, but the reader gets to see the start of his journey and knows there’s greatness ahead. It was enough to keep me up at night reading. Thanks for stopping by. Happy Writing!
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Great review. 🙂
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Great review and super advice. It reinforces my thoughts that a story does not have to have some monumental event in it to make it interesting!
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I think that’s true of many books, but that it often depends on the genre. This was very unusual for a fantasy novel, which is one of the reasons it was so interesting. It stretched my imagination 🙂 Thanks so much for the visit!
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My pleasure!!!!
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Well, that was new! Can’t knock it for originality! 😉
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I know! It was interesting how she pulled it off, Kev. Great characterization, emotional authenticity, and a unique world. 🙂
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Excellent! 😊
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your first two paragraph of this post are highly inspirational -and no surprises coming from an experienced writer. As a writer we can only do one thing -tell the truth, be it our experiences, our feelings, or imagination. We have to like what we are doing, and we can’t like if we are not honest about i. loved this post…
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Thank you. The creative freedom, for me, is the best part of writing and it’s what keeps me going. We are wise to write the truth of our hearts – the reader will feel it in our words.
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Great review, Diana, and interesting observation. I did a post a couple months ago about using the lesser subjects (i.e. basilisks or Valkyries). Sounds like goblins did it for this book. Love you writing notions! I’ll have to print them out and keep them nearby 🙂
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Thanks, Julie. A unique book in my experience, especially for fantasy. Those notions are something I completely believe; they sustain my love of writing during the slumps and grueling hours of work. 🙂
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Agree on your few notions about writing! Thank you for sharing. Wishing you a great day ahead!
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Thank you for the visit and comment. The notion that every well-written book has an audience is creatively freeing. All we need to do is the hard work and enjoy the process. 🙂
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Diana, this is a wonderfully unique book review for what sounds a most unusual book. Your heading alone had me rushing to read more – I understand where you – and the book – are coming from and your review is a vindication that character, in this case goblin, driven stories have a definite place in literature. It sounds quietly mesmerising. Only problem I’d have is the tricky confusing names…
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The book was unusual! The names were a pain, though, and that’s unfortunate because it’s such a good book. (There’s a name index, but who wants to stop reading to flip to an index). 😀 For me, it was still an interesting read on a lot of levels. Thanks for the visit, Annika. Happy Writing!
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Sounds like an interesting book, Diana. Great review. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Other than the confusing names, Suzanne, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was unusual to be sure. Thanks for the visit and have a great day 🙂
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You have a great day also, Diana. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Really interesting post – love hearing your perspective. And I’m copying down your list of notions about writing – may quote you on that someday! 🙂
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Thanks Kelly. This book proved to me that all those notions are true, and it’s very freeing to know that it you do the hard work you can follow your writing dreams 😀
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I certainly believe you! 🙂
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I have found books like this which capture you and it is because of the details or the minutaie of life. (Poor spelling but no hints on improvement, sorry) I have read books and even wanted more on the same, but not always easy to describe the reason why. You gave us an intriguing review and I may just see this at the library one day and read it! Thanks for this, Diana.
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I think it’s a best seller, so probably the library has it, or can get it easily. Yes, the journey is an inner one. 🙂
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What an interesting review. I just can’t imagine enjoying reading a book where nothing much happens, but then again that is what makes the book seem intriguing because you want to find out why it’s so appealing!
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Ha ha. I know. There are one star reviews too, so it’s not for everyone. Other than all the confusing names, I would say it’s one of the best books I read in the past year. An interesting book. Thanks for the visit, Kathryn 🙂
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Great things for writers to remember. Primarily, write your absolute best. It’s so easy to wander into ‘good enough’ terrain. That said, this sounds like a wonderful book.
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Elegantly written character, in my mind. I think it’s worth the read 🙂
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I’ll take it for a spin.
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Great post Diane!
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Thanks, Riley. It’s an interesting book if you ever get the chance to read it. 🙂 Have a great day and Happy Writing.
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Your review has intrigued me, but based on the story’s lack of any forward momentum, I’m not sure it has intrigued me enough.
Nonetheless, I find *your* writing more persuasive than it ought to be.
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I’d be curious to read this — I’m always in the market for a good fantasy novel — though I do sometimes get antsy with plot-deficient books. Colson Whitehead’s Zone One, for instance, boasted beautiful prose but ultimately tested my patience with its plotless story, and M. R. Carey’s The Girl With All the Gifts had a very compelling protagonist — one of the more interesting heroes in recent zombie fiction — but I felt the story itself could’ve only been enhanced with a more eventful plot. But, maybe that’s the screenwriter in me!
I’d like to check out one of your books, Diana. Which one do you recommend I start with?
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Oooh, Sean. You’re putting me on the plot (I mean…spot). Well, I get lots of feedback that The Melding of Aeris would make a good movie – action and visuals. And The Sorcerer’s Garden is a nice fast pace and sort of wild. Either of those is a good place to start. Thank you! 😀 😀
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Excellent! I just made a note of those in my ledger, and I’m going to check them out soonest! I’m so envious that you have multiple candidates to choose from!
Do you have any articles on your blog about your creative process? The reason I ask is because I am fascinated by that subject — whether writers are “planners” or “pantsers,” whether they are formally trained or autodidactic — and I’d be curious to learn more about the way you approach the craft. Perhaps after I read one of your books, we could even arrange for an interview or something on my own blog…?
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See if you like the book first! Ha ha. I would love to do an interview. I’m self-taught (with the great advantage of writing full time) and I have many posts on my process which usually start with everything I did wrong! Your question made me think I need to organize my website a little better. Everything is lost in the black hole. I’ll do that an write a post about announcing the reorg. Thanks for the great idea!!
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It’s not likely something I’d read, but as you say, there’s something for everyone out there. That’s the beauty of books. 🙂
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I love that, Carrie. It frees us up to write our own storie without worry 😀
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Sometimes a story is left to the reader’s fantasy. I will always read a book!
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I think I heard she will be writing a sequal, which I will definitely read. There is a whole world to explore. Thanks for stopping by 🙂 Happy Reading!
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If a book can hold your attention even when nothing is happening that itself speaks for its power and characterisation. Some characters are so appealing! Your review is quite inspiring Diana, not just for the readers but for the writers too.
Thank you for the poise that goes into your words. 🙂 Have a nice week.
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You’re welcome, Balroop. This book doesn’t need much promotion, but I thought it had some lessons to share. Thanks for the visit. Hope you’re having a blissful week. ❤
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I find your review very encouraging, Diana. I have another one of those stories, an unusual one, which, so far, I have not published, but maybe I should … 🙂
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I really like character driven books, Sebnem, and Maia is exquisite. This book has some crappy reviews too, but most people seem to really enjoy it. Write what you love and be fearless. 😀
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Interesting… Sounds like a weird combination of Gormenghast and Raising Steam (one of Terry Pratchett’s later books – a must read for any fantasy fan on creating a believable fictional minorities).
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Sounds like I should give Raising Steam a chance. I tried Pratchett’s Small Gods (because everyone loves his work) and I just couldn’t connect. Clearly, I have no sense of humor!
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I loved Small Gods (but that may be the anti-church element in me). That book was one of the turning points where he shifted from being a fantasy-comedy writer into more satire and examination of people rather than Discworld as a magical place. I highly recommend you read all of the Sam Vimes books (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Vimes) within the Discworld canon (which ends with Raising Steam). I think you’ll really get into his character! He moves from being a washed-up drunk in charge of a couple of cowardly & incompetent cops to enforcer of the Law and protector (& employer) of all beings in Ankh-Morpork, whether they are human, vampire, dwarf, werewolf, troll, zombie or goblin.
The Night Watch is my particular favourite (vague similarities to Sunwielder too!). But make sure you read them in order to really understand the progression of both the man and his city.
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Satire goes right over my head – usually, so that might explain it. Thanks for the recommendation. Sounds like a fun read 🙂
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I like your five notions on writing and agree. The book in your review sounds interesting and unusual.
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Thanks, Jack. The reviews of it are generally glowing, but there are definitely some readers that found it “boring to the point of torture.” I really do love the diversity among readers and that we don’t all have to conform! 😀 Are you still blogging? I’m not getting a blog address for you on my reader.
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Yup, still blogging, D. My WordPress site was acting up last week and I couldn’t get on to it; otherwise, I’m still at it…spending most of my time working on my wips and poetry. I agree with you that writers should write what they want and do it well. Embrace those who enjoy the work and don’t worry about the nay-sayers.
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I’ll try to find you. Just know that reader isn’t giving us a link to your site. Might be an adjustment with your gravatar (? – I’m clueless with this stuff).
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I’m equally clueless, D. but here’s the website link: jackronaldcotner.wordpress.com
As I mentioned, I had trouble accessing any WordPress site last week so maybe they’ve got some kind of glitch. I know I had to reset almost all of my followed sites in Reader because they were mysteriously shut off by WordPress. I had to manually go into Reader and redo the settings. My viewership seems way lower than usual so maybe I’m blocked from other folks, too. (sigh) I have no way of knowing. I guess it will all work out or it won’t. Thanks for posts!
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😀
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Great takeaways there
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Thanks, Al. I was most fascinated by how the switch from humans to goblins transformed the entire tale. Something I’ll keep in mind 🙂
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(scribbles note – add more goblins) 🙂
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Ha ha ha. I know. It’s already taken. Darn! Gotta make something up 😀
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