![\"\"](\"http:\/\/zirkvandenberg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/mercedes-chart-1-300x274.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe things that appeal to me in books fall into three categories. Making each of them an axis at 120 degree angles, and plotting the quality of a book on these three axes creates a triangle, the area of which indicates the overall merit of the book.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s the idea, one I had on the bus the other day.<\/p>\n
The scale would look like a bit like the Mercedes emblem. (And that\u2019s the full extent of the automotive reference.)<\/p>\n
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The vertical axis reflects Meaning<\/strong>. This has to do with the insights and ideas in the book. It could also include formal innovation and social commentary. Books that score high on this axis could be called \u201cfascinating\u201d, \u201cdeep\u201d, \u201cchallenging\u201d or even \u201clife-changing\u201d. These books win literary awards.<\/p>\n The left axis reflects Feeling<\/strong>. This has to do with the emotional appeal of things in the book, e.g. the characters, setting or theme. Books that score high on this axis could be called \u201cengaging\u201d, \u201ccharming\u201d or \u201cright up my alley\u201d. \u00a0These books travel in backpacks and linger on bedside tables.<\/p>\n The right axis reflects Fun<\/strong>. This has to do with action, tension, the thrust of the plot, humour and the prose itself. Books that score high on this axis could be called \u201cenjoyable\u201d, \u201cthrilling\u201d or \u201cunputdownable\u201d. These books dominate bestseller lists (though seldom because of humour, and never because of the prose).<\/p>\n Now, using a scale where 1 is the lowest possible rating and 5 the highest, let\u2019s plot some books on this scale to see what it might look like, based on my fallible judgement.<\/p>\n The Brothers Karamazov<\/em> \u2013 Fyodor Dostoevsky (contender for best novel ever)<\/p>\n The Sound of Thunder<\/em> \u2013 Wilbur Smith (which I translated a few years ago)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Death\u2019s Dark Abyss<\/em> \u2013 Massimo Carlotto (favourite book I\u2019ve read in recent years)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/zirkvandenberg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/mercedes-chart-karamazov.bmp\")
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