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?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_jenny1mo 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.xena1mo 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?

troy_butler718d ago

Wait, are we talking about fictional characters or my real-life decision to buy a used car from a guy named "Crusty Carl" without test driving it first? That fits your point exactly, I was super careful with my savings for months, then BAM, one impulsive Tuesday and I'm driving a sedan that smells like mothballs and regret. But yeah, in a show, when a character who triple-checks their smoke alarm goes base-jumping off a cliff with no reason given, that feels less like messy human stuff and more like the writers just needed a shortcut. I do dumb stuff all the time, but at least I have bad judgment to blame.