Question of the Week: Previously On…
It’s time for Question of the Week, which is designed to inspire interesting discussion of enjoyable topics.
This week’s question: should a book in a long-running series start with a little summary of what’s happened in previous books?
Like, you know how a streaming series will often have a “Previously On…” section at the start of the show? It’s usually a little 30 second montage of key scenes and whatnot from the previous episodes.
I got to wondering about this because I was talking with someone who was reading CLOAK OF TITANS, and the reader in question couldn’t remember when the character of “Dr. Spencer” had first appeared in the series and wished the book had included a little “Previously On…” summary.
For myself, I suppose it depends on how well-written and concise a “previously” summary at the start of the book would be.
-JM
As for my opinion if it’s a show that is in episodes at least of weekly schedule I usually either just fast forward through that previously on segment or if it’s supported by the service I’m watching the show on I use the skip it feature. I can almost see the use of it if there are very long, as in a year or two between episodes for the previously on feature.
Infodumps may be necessary sometimes (example: Star Wars) but should be avoided otherwise. Show, don’t tell.
I personally find prologues describing past events and characters off-putting.
A compromise would be a glossary in the back a la Tolkien. That way the folks who want more information or need reminders can indulge themselves without forcing people like me to go along.