Thinking of reading the last page first?



Here's a comment from Diana Gabaldon on Compuserve, in response to someone who said she intends to skip to the end of THE SCOTTISH PRISONER and read the last page first:
If you do, you'll be sorry. I don't write in a straight line, but I build the books to achieve particular effects, and you'll sacrifice a lot of the impact of the book if you read the last scene first. (I do _not_ understand people who do this, and always have a strong urge to beat them on the head, but it _is_ your book...)
It's worth noting that Diana said similar things, repeatedly, before ECHO was published in 2009.

I'm not going to comment on the final scene in SCOTTISH PRISONER until Tuesday, but I do agree with Diana that it will be much more meaningful if you see it in context.

Ultimately, though, it's a decision that you'll have to make for yourself.

Comments

  1. I'm definitely going to read it in a straight line. I figure, if Diana wanted us to see the last page first, she would have put it as Page 1. [g]

    Very excited, though; I can't wait to read it!
  2. I don't understand how anyone could ever want to read the last page first! I admit that I sometimes might take a peak at it, but only when I'm way into the story and have an idea of how the story might end.

    In this case though we all already basically know how the story (of Jamie and John and William) continues so you shouldn't even expect anything too surprising on the last page.

    As I am one of the lucky ones in Germany who already have their copy and read it all I can say is that every page of this book is worth reading :)
  3. I know people who do that, but I just can't. I'll even cover the page with my hand to keep my eyes from sneaking ahead when I can tell something 'big' is about to be revealed. I am so glad the wait for this book is almost over.
  4. I agree with Diana. Why do people do that. I have friends that do that and I want to beat them over the head too. lol
  5. I am one of those people who occasionally starts at the end of a book - but in the case of Diana's books NEVER!!!!
  6. I made the mistake of skimming ahead to see where Echo was going, during a tedious (sorry, DG) part, and found out Claire had married Lord John! Needless to say, I was shocked, appalled, devastated, crushed, etc. If I'd just minded my business and stuck to the storyline, I'd have known he wasn't on the damn ship!

    I'm a reformed Peeker, now.
  7. Hi, I read the last page when I can't stand the suspense any longer. So, I only do it with extremely 'nailbitingly' interesting books. For me it's a matter of then being able to settle back and thoroughly enjoy the book, rather than climbing the walls.
  8. I just can't imagine someone skipping to the end of one of Diana's books. What leads to whatever ending there is is the heart and soul of her books. JerryT

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