Random witterings about popular fiction. It's just my opinion, so don't take any of it too seriously. ;-)

I *hate* the increasingly common practice of putting huge indexes and glossaries and pronunciation guides at the back (or in any other location) of fiction books. I'm not really sure why.

It mostly happens in science fiction or fantasy epics (the sort you need a forklift to take home from the bookshop), reflecting the demand that authors of such books create a Total World Experience rather than just a, well, book. Same goes for maps.

It seems to be part of the whole fandom thing: you can't just *read the book* and like it, you have to act like it's a new religion. Learn the languages! Debate what that scene *really* meant! Dress up as characters and go to conventions! There's nothing wrong with this as such, but there seems so little scope for imagination. Everything is handed to you on a plate.

Also, it always makes me think the author is taking things way too seriously, and needs to go have a lie down and watch some comedy tapes.

If you can't think of a name that is pronouncable on first sight at least 50% of the time by the average reader, what are you doing writing novels anyway? And if it's impossible to follow your plot without a map, a summary and an index, maybe you should try writing shorter books, or at least better-written ones.

Alternately, why shouldn't the reader decide how to pronounce names? Next they'll be adding pictures of what each character and scene *looks* like, and then I'll just have to stop reading fiction altogether, because there'll be no point. My imagination's my own, thank you very much.

So, yeah. Convoluted plots, ten zillion main characters, and a book in imminent danger of collapsing under its own weight and becoming a literary black hole. Great. I'm not saying that can't be good, I'm just saying I think fiction is better when you don't need reference books to enjoy it. End of rant, thank you for your attention.

Brunnen-"not that anybody probably read this far"G