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The Future of the Book: No. 1 The Floor Plan

floorplan1.jpg

Suggestion: please can all novels from now on have floor plans. How am I meant to get a clear idea of the story if I don't even know where the hell the kitchen is in relation to the library? Plus it saves a lot of time on boring descriptions.

I mean, it was good enough for the Golden Age of Detection. I particularly like these maps, above and below, in The Pit Prop Syndicate by Freeman Wills Crofts. Don't ask me why I'm reading it because I don't know. But if you like a novel where a good chunk of the action is the two heroes taking it in turns to sit in a barrel to watch pit props being smuggled, then this is for you. At least I know where the Syndicate's depot is in relation to Ackroyd and Holt's.

floorplan2.jpg

Why should I imagine it? It's your book, you imagine it. Naturally Len Howard knows the importance of a plan in Birds as Individuals:

gardenplan.jpg

And don't forget to include an accurate diagram of any chessboard, bridge hand or bell-ringing chart mentioned:

chessboard.jpg

Posted by on December 15, 2009 1:09 PM |

Comments

Funny, I immediately recognized the map from Pit Prop Syndicate, which I read some years ago. Maybe the map did help my enjoyment of that book, which should by all rights be boring, but which I felt was compelling and charming.

Posted by: R.B. | December 15, 2009 4:52 PM

It's true, it's strangely compelling. Have you read Death of a Train, also by FWC, about wartime sabotage - that really is exciting, although the whole first section is mainly explaining about some valves

Posted by: Emma | December 15, 2009 9:22 PM

Oh yes! I completely agree! These plans are yummy!

thea.
xx

www.spoonfulzine.com

Posted by: theaxx | December 16, 2009 2:02 AM

@Emma.I will put Death Of A Train on my reading list. Thanks for the tip!

Posted by: R.B. | December 23, 2009 4:49 PM

Excellent idea. Have you read The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher? Good maps there although I didn't actually refer to them.

Posted by: Janet | December 29, 2009 10:48 PM

No, hadn't heard of that - looks like a good tip. Although have to admit I always feel slightly queasy about reading about true crimes as entertainment... Depends how it's done, of course.

Posted by: Emma | December 30, 2009 3:19 PM

Robbe-Grillet's La Jalousie/ Jealousy included a floor-plan in the English version and it was completely inaccurate.

Posted by: Jacob | March 3, 2010 2:19 PM

Gah! Nothing worse.

Posted by: Emma | March 3, 2010 11:15 PM

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