I personally love reading adventure novels, whether spy novels, rogue cops or assassins' novels, treasure hunting novels and mysteries of all sorts. I also read a lot of history books that is unrelated to my question.
Anyway, I can't seem to get into books written by female authors even if they fit my preferred genre. I have tried, but over time they just can't seem to hold my interest. I've read Patricia Cornwell, Lis Wiehl, Iris Johansen, etc. Satisfying reads, but can't seem to want to follow them the way I do similar novels by men.
I've read the "Cormoran Strike" series by Robert Galbraith (actually written by female J.K. Rowling - of Harry Potter fame) and they are good. I wonder why she chose a male name for a pseudonym when writing the Strike series. Makes me wonder if she is aware that the genre she is writing under the name Galbraith is geared towards men and realizes many men don't read novels by females, or perhaps fantasy type novels geared for young people. The thing I notice in the Cormoran Strike books, is that there are prominent female characters in the books (Cormorans's understudy in the series is his secretary Robin Ellacott) and the crimes tend to revolve around women (super model murdered to look like suicide, etc.).
So my question is, do any of you hardcore adventure readers follow any female authors and if so, which ones? Also, can you tell the difference in the writings?
I do see what you mean about enjoying adventure novels written by men; I believe I may have that bias.
My wife has gotten me into the Outlander book series by Diana Galbadon and I have to admit, I believe I would enjoy this much more if it was written by a man. There is so much "Mundanity"...is that a word?...it lags in certain areas where suspense should be building.
I will be interested to read more thoughts on this topic.
Can't wait for season 3 to get here.
Really liked the Galbraith series, Potter series as well.
Almost finished with Girl on the Train - it's driving me crazy, the characters are stupidly lame, but will tough it out to the end.
So yeah, female authors for the most part don't seem to ramp up the intensity and suspense. Must be all that Chick Flick influence.
It's set after a disease wipes out most of the population. It's a pretty short read and I liked it enough that I'll read whatever she writes next.
I used to read a lot of horror-fiction back in the day but could never get into Ann Rice or any other female writers. I think it boils down to "what do you consider entertainment". I, for one, don't care about any type of romance or intimacy among book characters. Women authors seem to excel at glorifying that aspect which is not my personal preference.
To each their own though.
The whole romantic/intimate angle is time wasted in a good read as far as I'm concerned. Simply, "he closed the door, then had sex and she left", is all that is necessary in an adventure/thriller/mystery. It seems female writers need to romanticize it and go into details I'm not interested in.
Also, I think female writers tend to feminize the male characters whereas male writers think "kick ass", "outsmart really bad guys", "nail a woman along the way and send her on her way", "have unique skills", etc.
Another thing I don't like in thriller novels, is the star of the book having a child or a wife he deeply loves. You know before turning the first page that the defenseless loved ones will come into play because it will be the Achilles Heel of the main character. Can't beat the guy, kidnap his 5 year old daughter or young wife. The plot is so old it's almost comical.
Since I'm talking of what annoys me with writers is the "retell the same story, but change the names". I used to read a lot of Jeffrey Deaver after reading "The Bone Collector". After reading a half dozen more of his books, it felt like déjà vu all over again (as Yogi would say). Same plot. Quadraplegic (Lincoln Rhyme) has samples of every piece of dirt in the city as well as dust, soot, lint, river mud, etc. and can solve all crimes by following the dirt trail left behind at a crime scene. And oh yeah, he wants to die, but can't because he's a quad so he's always trying to pay someone to kill him and no one will.
Deaver actually went off script and wrote a James Bond 007 novel which was actually pretty good. Not Ian Flemming good, but a fun read. Then he goes back to his Lincoln Rhyme solves another mystery by comparing dirt with dirt. I need a little more variety in my stories and prefer that it takes me around the world in different countries and cities. I think the furthest Lincoln Rhyme ever ventured from NYC was North Carolina. Oh well, I digress.
Regardless, it makes me feel better that some people can't get into female written novels any better than I can. And I love women. Just not their style of writing.
Can't wait for season 3 to get here.
Was season 2 already released?
I think I generally agree, though I don't tend to think of the gender of the author if something catches my interest.
If you like real/non-fiction adventure stories, I cannot recommend this harrowing tale (by a woman)....fantastic.
Link - ( New Window )
Highly recommended, and under the radar.
The Terror - On Amazon - ( New Window )
Tobias Menzies is awesome too.
Link - ( New Window )
But, because men and women are wired differently I could see where the plot/Characters would not be portrayed the same...
I used to read a lot of horror-fiction back in the day but could never get into Ann Rice or any other female writers. I think it boils down to "what do you consider entertainment". I, for one, don't care about any type of romance or intimacy among book characters. Women authors seem to excel at glorifying that aspect which is not my personal preference.
To each their own though.
This IMO. If I want to read a romance novel I would. We get relationships are important in characters lives but too often it seems central to the plot and they spend too much time on it