In a World of Fiction

"My take on why some people feel more connected to fiction."

Last week, I picked up a wildly famous nonfiction book to read. It was good, but it reminded me how I missed reading fiction. While I enjoy reading different types of nonfiction books, mainly books about historical events, books teaching a craft, business books, biographies, and autobiographies, they are solely to gain insights and growth. They can never match the rollercoaster of emotions, the pauses I take between the lines to think deeply, and the goosebumps I feel living the journey of fictional characters in a wholesome novel.

Looking back, I think of the tears I shed with The Book Thief or The Kite Runner, the laughter with every PG Wodehouse creation, the warm, cosy mush with Jane Austen or Nicholas Sparks book, and how I was intrigued pages on pages while reading books by Robin Cook, John Grisham, Dan Brown. Various formats of fiction by Shakespeare, the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling, hundreds of Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl hold a special place in my heart. Each needs a separate post to admire and discuss them. But one thing is common between all of them: I clearly remember how I felt when I read each of those books. It was always a feeling, one layer deeper, than what I navigated through the rest of my days.

Interestingly, research says that I am not alone. Most people, regardless of age, gender, class, and personality, love reading or watching fiction, whether as books, movies or TV shows. More precisely, I think the above sentence can be modified as - human beings love to listen to stories, irrespective of who they are. We are somehow connected to stories in a way we don't connect to anything else.  I find this information as fascinating as the origin of the world.

One of the main reasons is that stories and fictional characters transport us to another world, giving us new experiences and exciting ideas, either completely different from ours or very relatable to us. This not only shifts our mind from the monotonous routine, but the fuzzy feelings developed during the course of a story stay for long, making us feel happier sailing through the routine for the next few days or weeks. Another reason we love fiction is because it allows us to feel strong emotions with our favourite characters, leaving us more empathetic, kinder and emotionally rich. Thirdly, watching, listening to, or reading stories stimulates creativity, inspires imagination, and helps people think clearly, considering different perspectives and opinions.

When I started writing fiction, I was enthralled by the freedom it gave to explore the complex themes in human behaviour, psyche, connections, and relationships and how they can be put to the test during unimaginable conflicting situations. I could weave messages in stories, layer them with humour and emotion, and publish them, hoping someone would perceive them in the right spirit. Otherwise, people will still enjoy a good story. And that, I feel, is the best part of fiction.

We may never meet so many people in one lifetime, yet know how they think or behave in a particular situation; we may never meet our favourite authors, yet can read a piece of their mind; we may never travel to some countries or exotic places and yet know, in detail, about their streets, their culture, weather and their societies. Thanks to fiction. Sometimes, answers to complicated situations in life lie in fiction.

Often, it gives you a gateway to connect with like-minded people who share the same love for certain stories; for example, I am aware of specified book clubs celebrating Hindi novelists; one group in Mumbai regularly meets to discuss Jane Austen; and who doesn't know the shared experiences of Potterheads? The joy of being in a community that celebrates common fictional themes is unparalleled. I have seen this power, and I am profoundly grateful to the community on this blog who stays in touch with me for the stories we mutually love and the characters we have grown to care for. I am in awe of your love and support.

I would love to know your experiences with fiction. Why do you love what you love to read? And what makes you return to your favourite books, again and again?

Thank you for writing to me.

Have a great week ahead.

M.

(PS. Last Tuesday, I was preparing a protocol for training doctors. Day jobs mean, we have to work in nonfiction, no matter how much we love fiction 🫶🙂)

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