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cwalker's picture

Is it that the story is real, or how you critique the story?

I had somewhat thought about it before. I have a strong love for Latin American literature, especially the type of literature that is a result of dictatorial oppressions, not exactly the lightest reading. But there is something about this type of literature that just sparks such a strong passion and respect for the hardships many of these people have faced. Although technically most of these forms of literature are fiction, they are based on real political and social situations, like A hundred years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez or The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende. Although fictional I have the utmost respect for the authors and the people they represent, I admire the valiancy these individuals posses. In this case I am astounded by the actors, but I wonder if it is different when it comes to other types of literature. I think that our greater interest, respect and sympathy for literature either non-fiction or based on a true story isn't really about trying to connect more to the situation, trying to put ourselves in the character's shoes; but rather that we have a harder time critiquing it. I personally would have a hard time criticizing a literature that I know is based on real life, I mean it is some one else's life, you can't really critique their choices or the way things happen, they just happened there is nothing the authors can really change. We could critique the writing style but as readers we are more often looking at the content than the writing style, the writing style is just a bonus. Although I do think that my greater love for stories based on real life do come from being able to connect with the characters more, and my respect for individuals valiancy, but also I also think I am held back from critiquing it because it is someone else's life, and it is not my position to negate their life story.

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