What Makes It Epic?
Two weeks ago I asked this very important question, and last week I asked this one. Today I’m asking the final question in this series…
What makes a book epic?
To me, it boils down to these things:
1. I have to fall in love with the character(s) I’ve said before that to draw me into a story, I don’t need to like the protagonist, i just need to be on his side. But for me to love a story? I have to love the protagonist. I have to want to be best friends with them (Liesel), or want to date them (Jem and Will), or want to be them (Harry. Harry Potter. Who I have not reviewed because I think it’s common knowledge by now how amazing those books are).
2. It has to have quotable writing For a book to make it to my LOVE LOVE LOVE shelf, the writing can’t just be good; it has to be so good I’m folding down corners and quoting it on my Tumblr and being jealous that I didn’t come up with these brilliant turns of phrase.
3. I have to want to “climb inside the story and live there” I mentioned this in on of my very first posts on this blog. My “favorites” shelf is a bit eclectic–from Irish murder mysteries to middle grade sci-fi to really weird, amazing YA paranormal–but they all have one thing in common: I want to be a part of those worlds.
I think one of the reasons it’s taking me so long to finish a book I really want to publish is because I’m not striving for good–I’m striving for epic. That’s not to say I’ll ever make it there, but the beauty is in the attempt. For now.
What about you? What do all all the epic books on your shelf have in common?
Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash
And here I though epic meant the story covered a longer period of time, and involved some kind of journey. Newer uses of epic include what you’re talking about though, and I agree with you.
Yes, it has that meaning too–and actually a lot of my favorite books are part of series (Harry Potter, Chaos Walking), but in this sense I meant a book that just blew me away, that I think about often, and that I return to on multiple occasions. Thanks for commenting!
Great post! I agree with your points. I might even add a fourth one: there has to be a fall and rise of the protagonist so impactful that it makes you feel like you can accomplish anything.
Yes I agree! All my faves have that too. Great point!