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spoilers
I suspect these are the same people who, when they see a baby on the ultrasound screen turn their faces away because they want to be surprised at the birth on the boy/girl question. These are the people who do not hunt for hidden presents and certainly don't carefully unwrap and then re-wrap them; this kind of person likes surprise parties. These are, in a word, saintly people, and I have nothing in common with them.
I am a spoiler connoisseur. Others seek out fine wines or elusive first editions; I look for spoilers.
I respect everyone's right to be saintly, really, but I don't understand how it's possible to not want to know, right now. I would gladly read the scripts for the entire new season of Deadwood. Reading the scripts would not take anything away from my enjoyment when I finally get to sit down and watch these shows. How the actors and directors and photography people bring it to life is going to be enough of a surprise. In the same way, reading the end of a novel first doesn't hurt my enjoyment of the rest of it. I like knowing where I'm going, so I can enjoy the ride. I may have read Pride and Prejudice fifty times -- but every time I enjoy it just as much, and maybe, possibly, more. Because I know whole passages by heart doesn't matter. Will Darcy finally get round to actually approaching Elizabeth? Oh, the agony. Oh, the suspense. So you see, spoilers really, really don't matter, except in this way: I want to know. Now.
Call me names if you like; they are all true. I'm a spoiler slut. It would be pretty hard to bribe me with money, but to the person who whispers in my ear hey! you! wanna know all about Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars? -- in that person's hands, I am putty.
Before you ask, no, I won't tell you what happens in Fire Along the Sky. Yes, I am an inconsistent spoiler slut. I will not tell you because I'm afraid you don't actually really want to know. So no spoilers for you. Unless you've got something interesting to whisper in my ear, of course.
mwahahahahaha.
July 12, 2004 07:27 AM
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Comments
I'm in the same boat as you. All my family and friends chide me for reading the last pages of a book before reading it end-to-end.
Posted by: Anne V at July 12, 2004 08:03 PM
Yes Sara,
Be that inconsistent slut and don't tell us about Fire in the Sky. I want to go back there by myself. Thank you for your frank assesment of your weaknesses but please let me go back alone. :) I laughed but isn't that a bit harsh of a name to call yourself? You may ask me why then am I reading your blog everyday if it isn't for hopes that I'll read some tidbit or a spoiler. Its not......really Sara.....
Cynthia in Florida
Posted by: Cynthia at July 13, 2004 04:24 AM
I hate spoilers and will avoid them like the plague. Well, now that I think of it, I haven't been actively avoiding plague, except by having a cat, but anyhoo, I don't like spoilers.
I am not a saint though. Really.
On an unrelated note, I am currently reading "The Bear Went Over the Mountain" by William Kotzwinkle. Have you read it?
Posted by: Lanna Lee Maheux-Quinn at July 13, 2004 08:15 AM
I'm so glad to hear that others read the ending of the book first. I always have and probably always will. I want to know how it turns out and have bought books based on the ending if I wasn't sure whether I'd like it or not. I also read all spoilers and they never ruin anything for me. (Read the Bantam preview of Fire Along the Sky and loved it.)It just made it harder to wait until the bookstore has it.
Anne G.
Posted by: Anne G at July 13, 2004 09:56 AM
There are some tests by which people are easily divided into two camps, I see.
those who like liver or hate it;
dark and milk chocolate;
women who like bald men and those who really don't;
spoiler-lovers vs. spoiler-haters.
And don't worry, I would never drag anybody against their will back to Lake in the Clouds. You'll get there when you're ready.
Posted by: sara at July 13, 2004 11:02 AM
Yay! Another spoiler whore!
I feel the same way: it's different when you SEE it than when you only heard about it. I don't have it ruined because I wasn't in total!shock! to hear about it. Besides, if a TV show I like is going to have someone die, I'd rather know about it and prepare rather than be totally!surprised!and!miserable!
As for books, I check to see if it ends happily before I buy it. I don't need to pay money only to be depressed- real life can do that.
Posted by: Jennifer at July 13, 2004 02:22 PM
It's funny actually. I will not read an excerpt now because then I'll want the whole thing NOW. It's too painful. But I will search for xmas gifts and I definitely will read the last chapter early. I usually don't tell people that and I also get mad at myself when I do, but I still do it.
I didn't know it until recently, but I've read your series and Homestead not realizing it was the same person. Loved both.
I'm glad also to hear people who hate The DaVinci Codes. I feel like I'm the only one.
Posted by: heidi hess at July 13, 2004 08:47 PM