That is a great point on the novels! On the short stories, I read the intro bit, and then go back and read each section after I read the short story because of the spoilers. I find on the novels you are a lot more likely to get spoiled if it is someone other than the author writing it. Then it seems to be a 9/10 chance of spoiler ?
Often, but they should be brief. I dislike introductions that run 50 pages and tell me what I should think of the book. In a case like that I postpone reading the introduction until I have read the book.
I’m learning English by myself, so when I read a book in English I read the introductions and preface, because my English is awful and I must know as much as possible about the author and the history before reading. But when I read a book in Portuguese (my mother language), I don’t read them, because I fear for spoilers.?
It depends on the book. I had the ending of a classic ruined for me because I read the introduction where they mentioned the main character’s suicide. I guess they figure it’s a classic and you should have already read it. ?
The author! Lmao. It was a really interesting intro though. He has a kind of disdain for the book overall, but says he has an “authorial duty” to it. Lol. The movie apparently (i have not seen it) cuts off before the final chapter, which is very, very important to the story/character.
He says the American Film leaving out the chapter makes it more of a fable, the book having the last chapter fulfills it’s potential as a novel
Sometimes the introduction/preface of a book reveals too many plot points and spoils the reading experience before it starts. I read them but if I find that they are on the verge of giving away the book I’ll stop.
Sometimes the preface really helps you to understand the story. I once bought a book which is considered to be a a mark so i had to read it. Unfortunately i bought the pocket version with no preface and some time later speaking with an expert he explained that the preface was crucial to understand the book. So… I have to buy it again in the “good” version…
I do.
Sometimes
Always
Yes
Sometimes I don’t
Absolutely
Usually. Sometimes they are more interesting than the book!
yes
Yes
Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
Of course. Because normally it’s a part of the story that you will get to eventually throughout the rest of the book. So yes.
I used to pointedly not do this. Now I treasure these things
And oh man, if it’s a short story collection, with a section talking about each short story TOTAL WIN
@Heather I always rea the intro on short stories, but on novels I often read it at the end, because of spoilers
That is a great point on the novels! On the short stories, I read the intro bit, and then go back and read each section after I read the short story because of the spoilers. I find on the novels you are a lot more likely to get spoiled if it is someone other than the author writing it. Then it seems to be a 9/10 chance of spoiler ?
Yes!!!! And the acknowledgements ?
Yes
Often, but they should be brief. I dislike introductions that run 50 pages and tell me what I should think of the book. In a case like that I postpone reading the introduction until I have read the book.
Yes, I read acknowledgements too.
Always
Yes, I do.
Usually
always do
Yes
yes yes yes
sometimes i do, but if they’re taking more than 2 pages to summarize what i could read from the back of the book no
Just give me chapter one
Of course.
Always
Always.
Yes
Yes
I make sure I read all of them in and around.
Yes, always.
Usually.
yes!
Always and sometimes I read them again after reading the book.✌️?
I usually do.
Not usually the preface / introduction but I always read the prologue because it’s part of the story.
I do. I also read the acknowledgements, and the information about the author
Yes
I read cover to cover.
Yes I do! I also read about the book from various sources before I start.
Usually
Sometimes.
Sometimes
yes sets the tone for the book
Both, book cover grabs my interest then intro shows me a little about the authors style
Usually.
Yes, it’s sometimes good to get yourself familiar to the prologues of the books, as well as epilogues.
I’m learning English by myself, so when I read a book in English I read the introductions and preface, because my English is awful and I must know as much as possible about the author and the history before reading. But when I read a book in Portuguese (my mother language), I don’t read them, because I fear for spoilers.?
Sometimes; it depends on the book. I usually skip the acknowledgements.
Usually
Of course!
Always
Absolutely!
YES
yes! Why wouldn’t you??
Always
The pro log I do but not the introduction
Usually
Yes, even my fave author’s.
Always
Always
Definitely
I read them after. Like I’ve said before, I prefer a “virgin” read. Then I go back and see what others have extracted from the same thing.
It depends on the book. I had the ending of a classic ruined for me because I read the introduction where they mentioned the main character’s suicide. I guess they figure it’s a classic and you should have already read it. ?
Yeah I read the intro to A Clockwork Orange in my masterpieces of science fiction copy and it told the ending O.o
@Heather , WTH! What kind of monster does that…in the introduction!
@Elizabeth,
The author! Lmao. It was a really interesting intro though. He has a kind of disdain for the book overall, but says he has an “authorial duty” to it. Lol. The movie apparently (i have not seen it) cuts off before the final chapter, which is very, very important to the story/character.
He says the American Film leaving out the chapter makes it more of a fable, the book having the last chapter fulfills it’s potential as a novel
Always. Usually they help me understand the work. At least the writer’s intent.
Yes
No
Yes, read everything.
Yes
Usually but I have bought a few books purely for the cover
Yes
If the main body of the book was good.
Sometimes
Yes ???☕️
Yes
Usually
More often than not, no.
Yes, from front cover to back cover ??
Yes
Sometimes
Omg yes!
Yes. And bibliography if any.
Always
Yes.
sometimes
Sometimes the introduction/preface of a book reveals too many plot points and spoils the reading experience before it starts. I read them but if I find that they are on the verge of giving away the book I’ll stop.
I’ll read the introductions, etc., if it’s 19th century or a particularly dense, difficult book, for help in reading.
Yeah ???
Wes
Always
Yes
Yes, always!
Yes
Yes.
Always – it’s part of the story! ?
Yes! Never use to but found out sometimes it’s really a big part of the story line.
Yes.
Yes.
Yes
Of course it gives you background
Yes
Absolutely! Great info in them.
sometimes, if they aren’t too long…& if i’m not dying to read the book
scratch that–i always read them
Yes, always! I read every page.
Sometimes the preface really helps you to understand the story. I once bought a book which is considered to be a a mark so i had to read it. Unfortunately i bought the pocket version with no preface and some time later speaking with an expert he explained that the preface was crucial to understand the book. So… I have to buy it again in the “good” version…
Yes