Are you an audiobook listener, an e-reader, a paperback page turner? Or a mix of all three?
Personally, I still prefer paperbacks for my ideal story absorbtion. The other day, while on a walk with my dog, I discussed a bit why I prefer reading without audible narration for optimal reader and author collaboration. The author guides the reader through story cues and use of language to a mental picture the reader creates in his/her own mind.
Here’s the video. You can watch it, then we’ll expand on everything further in this article.
Yeah, that’s me.
The Ladder
Let’s think about that ladder. Each step means less imagination required for story consumption.
Rung 1: Just Written Words
At this stage, we’re at the barest form of storytelling apart from dreaming or instrumental orchestra, and that is holding a book in your hand and the ignition of mental images. Each character’s voice, mannerism, nuance, is a creation of your imagination as guided by the author of the work. The settings are all in your head, too. You can decide how tall Sauron’s tower is, or what a Stupefy spell looks like. You also bring a lot of your own experience into this level of story-dimension. No one interferes, because no one else is in your head with you. At least I hope not.
Rung 2: Add Spoken Narration
Audiobooks: a narrator sets the tone and pace of the story, bringing with them a plethora of accents and voices for the ensemble of imaginary characters. Your imagination takes a bit of a load off on this one, but the imagery you create is still your own. I think that in many ways, listening almost counts as reading.
Rung 3: Add Stage with Props
This is an important medium of storytelling that I firmly believe lends to amazing access to whole hours spent in pure human empathy. There’s something about a good play that opens the soul to understand humanity through spoken word and music. I should write a whole other article on this, but for right now we should just remember that more premade creative elements have been put up for you here. You have actor’s faces to imagine the characters and staging to give you setting and pace.
I saw a fantastic portrayal of To Kill a Mockingbird recently. I found the lead performance of Atticus Finch’s character quite moving. The actor’s choices guided my understanding of the character. My understanding of the story was effected in a very positive way.
However, as we rise to this rung of story consumption, we’re sacrificing some use of our imagination. I didn’t see a full courtroom on the stage, so there was still a lot work for my brain to do, but my involvement in the story was much more passive than it would have been if I were just reading the book.
Rung 4: Add Screen Dimension Complete with Special Effects
A screen isn’t a full experience, but like a stage adaptation, except on steroids, I’m not in full mental creativity mode with the writer here. I’m watching the story in an increasingly passive state. The story is happening in front of me without me doing a lot of brainwork. As I said in the video, I wouldn’t say watching a movie or TV show rots my brain, but I won’t say that it exercises it much.
I think we often sacrifice reading for higher rungs like this a little too often as a society these days. Where I believe movies are amazing and wouldn’t give them up, they’re candy before a three course meal.
Rung 5: Virtual Reality
I don’t have a lot of experience with VR, but I feel like it could be something that requires a little more caution. Almost no imagination is required at this point. Your brain is without a dream because that dream is given to your optical nerve in extreme dose.
So what about your books, Daniel? Are you that against audiobooks that you’ll keep putting them off?
Absolutely not, but if I’m being honest, I’ve been a little miffed how many strong sci-fi fans don’t seem to want to take a chance on Song of Kardu without an audio version. If you’re on the fence about whether you want to read it or just find something that a narrator did for you, just think about this ladder. Wouldn’t you want to consider your experience with a new world something you made all on your own?
Books are always better than “the movie”, and written books are always better in your head than from an actor’s voice. If you don’t agree, that’s fine, but you probably know I’m right. *winky face
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