Our book club in Cincinnati totally fell apart over a single character choice.

We were about six months into meeting at the old coffee shop on Vine Street, and we were reading a popular thriller. The big debate was about the main character's final choice in the last chapter. Half the group thought it was a strong, smart move, and the other half thought it was a stupid plot hole that ruined the whole book. It got really heated, and one person, Karen, actually stood up and said, "If you think that's good writing, you've never read a real book," before walking out. The rest of us just sat there in total quiet for a full minute. I tried to smooth things over by suggesting we all take a week to cool off and then pick a totally different genre for next time, like a calm historical fiction. It worked, but the group was never quite as big again. Has anyone else had a meeting blow up that badly over a character's actions?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_jenny7d ago

Wow, that's rough. I have to say, calling a plot point a "stupid plot hole" feels a bit harsh. Sometimes a character makes a messy, emotional choice that doesn't seem smart from the outside, but it fits who they are. That's not bad writing, it's just human. The real shame is that the fight killed the group vibe. A good debate should make you think, not make people leave.

webb.xena7d ago

Yeah but what if the choice doesn't actually fit the character? Like they've been shown as super careful for three seasons then suddenly do something reckless with no build up. Is that still just messy human stuff, or did the writers mess up?