AD
Narrative structure will always vary from book to book, some authors play it safe, some mix it up. Some flip time upside down and have our characters do all sorts of crazy things through their narrative. But what keeps a reader engaged? Which types of plots are becoming over done and what do our brains crave? Are they truly any unique plot lines left to really surprise us?
The more we read, the less we are surprised by a plot, so I applaud the authors who still have this talent. M. Jonathon Lee’s latest novel 337 flips typical narrative on it’s head and almost gives us a game to follow in the pages of his book. From the off this book gives you the choice of starting at the front of the book, or the back. Two different starts that both lead to the same story… or do they? Which would you pick, front or back? I went with the back! I also went into this book knowing the author wanted to change my opinion about one of the characters by only the very final word of the whole book. So I almost felt a challenge was set going into it.
337 follows Samuel on his search to find out what happened to his mother who has long been missing and pronounced dead. Samuel is also rediscovering a relationship with his dying grandmother whilst balancing life, work and a break up on top of it all. I liked how relatable Samuel was in one way or another. He felt real, not glamourised, just a real human with real issues, as did a lot of the characters in this book. We see this story from Samuel’s perspective and so we see the events take place as shaped by him. But is this guiding us as a reader to think how Samuel wants us to think? I’ve asked author M. Johnathon Lee a few questions about his process writing this book and creating something a little different from the norm.
You can buy a copy of 337 here and explore this story for yourself.
Thank you for joining me and writing such a different book from what we as readers are used to. Did you set off to create something unique in format, such as having two beginnings, or did this happen once the idea for the plot was already formed?
Thank you for having me. Yes, I suppose I do try to come up with something unique as far as the format, layout and text is concerned. This started early in my writing, when I wanted to play with the reader’s senses as well as pulling them into a story. You may think that there is nothing creative that can be done with blocks of text, but I feel there are always ways to push those boundaries.
Do you think fiction is becoming too familiar in terms of narrative style and predictability or do we still have a lot left to explore?
Not at all. The problem we have though is whether the book is marketable and commercial. It is the same with film, we get lots and lots of churned out formulaic Hollywood stories as that is what the market demands. There are so many fantastic voices out there, whether in film or writing – it is more a case of getting heard.
What was the biggest challenge when writing this unique book?
Strangely, due to family circumstances, I had not written anything for nearly 18 months leading up to putting 337 together. When I eventually sat down to write (when the UK COVID lockdown began) the writing simply flowed. The whole manuscript was written to a draft format in just under six weeks.
You have two alternative beginnings to this book, the ‘front’ and the ‘back’, which is your favourite and why?
My favourite is the back. I can’t say why though…you’ll have to work it out yourself!
And finally, If you could use three words to tell people why they should pick up your book, what would they be?
I hope that the story grips people, that they are engaged in Sam’s life and that they don’t guess the twist. So, twisty. Gripping. Unique.
Thank you to M. Jonathon Lee for answering my questions and talking about his unique book. What do you think? Are we seeing the same structures and plots repeated? Maybe this book would be a relief from the familiar for you. Buy a copy here.
[Please note the double-ended upside-down opening for this book is available in books ordered in hard copy from UK booksellers only]
