People who read books and the people in the books

General
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I participate in 3 different book clubs and recently I have noticed that people who read books, talk and think about the characters in the books as if they were real people. I think this is a Hallmark of a good author. The author developed characters so compelling, we think of them as real people in real situations. I find myself wondering about their “life” outside the confines of the book, or wondering how the events/decisions in the book influence the rest of their lives and the people around them.
I am I just weird or do characters become “real” to you too?

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I do that too sometimes, and then I am sorry the book has ended. :slight_smile:

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Same here, @Becky_Haase! I think it’s a mark of a really good author when she brings the characters to life to such an extent that you think you know them personally. And like @Maria_Meininger, I do sometimes feel a sense of loss when a book has ended because I enjoyed “knowing” the characters so much.

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The Olive Kitteridge and Lucy Barton series did that for me. I feel like I should know them and be a part of their lives.

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Oh yes…I think of the characters as real people too and wonder how things go with them after the book ends. :slight_smile:

Some of them are people I wish I could really meet. :slight_smile:

Great comment…thanks.

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Yes the characters are real to me. They become my best friends. Always a bit sad when I must say goodbye, but then on to the next book and new friends. Sometimes I get my friends from books mixed up from my real friends. Thinking h’mm did a friend do that or was it in a book! :closed_book:

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LOL on getting your book friends mixed up with real friends. :slight_smile:

It is sad to say goodbye as you turn the last page.

Thanks for making me smile, Paula.

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I agree with you and feel the same way with certain characters and stories. I hope the author decides to write a sequel and tell us what happens next! Some books I feel a loss like I lost touch with a good friend and find myself thinking about the characters and their stories long after I’ve finished the book. All signs of a great author and there are (thankfully) so many out there like that!

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