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Original poster

Books written in the present tense

34 replies

TheGirlOnTheLanding · 01/02/2014 08:33

I'm currently reading (and hating) a book for my book group and realised that I was prejudiced against it from the start because it's written in the present continuous tense, which I find irritating. I've been trying to think of other books where I've persevered and got over the irritation and can't recall any I've enjoyed. Am I on my own with this or do any of you dislike it too? Are there any really good books written in the present tense? I know it's supposed to up the tension and feeling of immediacy but it feels fake to me.

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 01/02/2014 16:09

It drives me round the frigging bend. Loathe it. Wolf Hall irritated the heck out of me (not only because of this but this was a key reason) and I've just ploughed through the steaming pile of dross that was Morrissey's autobiography and was almost all in the present tense.

What I hate even more is when historians on the TV use the present tense to talk about History, which is OBVIOUSLY IN THE PAST. It makes me furious.

Breathes...

JodieGarberJacob · 01/02/2014 15:33

I couldn't get past the first few pages of Wolf Hall for this reason. And I used to love Patricia Cornwell's Scarpetta novels until she started using this device.

Halsall · 01/02/2014 15:31

I hate this with a passion, too. I was reluctantly obliged to make an exception for Wolf Hall and the sequel, which I loved. But generally speaking, I still hate it.

Seems to me that there's a fashion for it amongst new/young/aspiring writers, and it just gives me the feeling that they don't have the experience or talent to write any other way (sweeping generalisation Grin).

Didn't Philip Pullman have a massive rant about it not long ago?

Original poster
TheGirlOnTheLanding · 01/02/2014 15:12

Thanks CarlaJean, I haven't read The Vagabond, will seek it out.

OP posts:
CrockedPot · 01/02/2014 10:17

What book are you reading at your group, out of interest?

carlajean · 01/02/2014 10:15

That's a bit sweeping - just try The Vagabond, which is an unrecognized masterpiece IMO.

Trooperslane · 01/02/2014 10:08

Really bugs me too.

newmorning · 01/02/2014 10:07

"Are there any really good books written in the present tense?"

All the great novels are written in the past tense so that has to be a clue.

The very nature of telling a story is to tell of events that happened 'once upon a time'.

Writing any lengthy work of fiction in the present tense is for attention-seeking 'writers' who want to be different and who think they can improve on perfection.

carlajean · 01/02/2014 10:05

I've just finished rereading The Vagabond by Colette. I really love this book and was surprised when a reviewer pointed out it was in the present tense which, I agree, is difficult to carry off for a whole book.
(By the way, if anyone's tempted to try it, please don't read the USA translation that's on offer on kindle, which is very poor)