How much politics do you like in your books?

Discuss the August 2017 Book of the Month The Expansion by Christoph Martin.

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TheSeelieCourtJester
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Re: How much politics do you like in your books?

Post by TheSeelieCourtJester »

I enjoy reading a book centering around politics, but I don't want it to overtake the plot completely. After all, a book should be about the characters, and not the world they live in. Otherwise it'd be just a reflection of what is going on around the world. Still, it couldn't hurt to know the context of the world the characters live in, as well as the complications that could arise from the politics in that world.
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Post by Donnavila Marie01 »

TheSeelieCourtJester wrote:I enjoy reading a book centering around politics, but I don't want it to overtake the plot completely. After all, a book should be about the characters, and not the world they live in. Otherwise it'd be just a reflection of what is going on around the world. Still, it couldn't hurt to know the context of the world the characters live in, as well as the complications that could arise from the politics in that world.
In this story about the expansion, its political theme is just right. It did its role of presenting the realities of the business world.
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Post by ritah »

CaitlynLynch wrote:I like politics as long as the author doesn't permeate the book with their own views. They should be presenting the facts, impartially. If a CHARACTER has specific views, that's something quite different.
I read The Expansion (my review here forums.onlinebookclub.org/viewtopic.php ... mp;t=46456) and I thought the politics in it were really well done. There were really good, clear explanations of the Panama Canal's geo-political history, and very believeable speculative politics on what might happen in the event of a real expansion.
I agree with this. I don't mind politics as long as it's substantiated and presented with facts.
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Post by KITtheKAT »

For some people, politics can be a really touchy subject. In my opinion, I think adding politics to a book gives it a sense of realism, whether it's a crime novel or the highest of fantasy. If the main character is greatly changing the state of an environment that includes an entire community or even the world, you can be sure that there's a politician out there somewhere on their side or not on their side. I feel like there usually is politics, even if the reader doesn't notice right away. Maybe they're really REALLY caught up in the plot and they don't even notice that Saruman from Lord of the Rings is literally a politician with a magic staff.
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Post by Lest92 »

I'm not a fan of politics and too much of it in fiction will put me off; however, it's part of society and it would be odd to see a story without even a little bit of political influence where it's needed.
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Post by Onyinyechukwu »

Not too much. Sometimes it's difficult to imagine politics in a pleasant light. Taking a book up grants you the opportunity to go to that world where everything's as you wish it to be.

I might not be turned off if the writer does not hold my particular political sentiments, infact it might work the opposite effect!
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Post by Storygamer88 »

I hate politics in books. I like small local conflicts and dislike when things are too far reaching or grandiose because it tends to feel impactful more slowly.
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Post by ReviewerDiksha »

I am not usually into political thrillers, but sometimes a here and there novel on politics turns out to be pretty good. It basically depends on the writer. Some just do a good job of explaining even the most complex things.
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Post by psychopathycathy »

I think I like the concepts more, but actual books about politics are sometimes a bit boring if the author can't create the right tension.
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Post by Quinto »

Too much politics is a no no for me. This because politics is subjective and in most cases if this is the only predominant theme, i find there is a lot that i end up not agreeing to. So either the politics is kept to the minimum or not at all. I only read ideological novels if i agree with their theme and which is rare any way.
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Post by IanYanny »

I like politics in the books I read but not too much. Just enough to keep the intrigue and the plot interesting.
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Post by lrbfilm »

I think it is important to have politics in novels, it is very difficult to have a novel that steers completely away from it. Politics are a critical aspect of society, even novels with characters that isolate themselves often have societal reasons for doing so.
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Post by Atabon Della »

I could tolerate a little bit of politics but when the main theme of the book is politics, it becomes a "no go" for me. I would have to drop a book that is entirely based on politics because am not really interested in it.
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Post by AgentJay »

I like politics in my books, the order and hierarchy while trying to have an upper hand in the same.
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Post by Darakhshan Nazir »

Gideon umunnakwe wrote:for me politics is a way of life, it doesn't matter if one likes it or not, it a circle that we must revolve around, so having it on my book is a privilege, because it open my scope and keep me prepared for the future
I agree . My thoughts are exactly the same
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