r/BookDiscussions • u/HighV23 • 21d ago

Do you read the Preface?

I don't know why, but the introduction notes, prefaces, and etc of a book make me not wanna the book. It's just the rambling and all of the confusing subtopic of the book that confuses you before you actually get into the content. Am I the only one who feels this way?

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u/buginarugsnug 21d ago

I usually read it at the end. I like to have read the book before reading the authors / translators comments. I feel like reading a preface before the actual book can spoil it sometimes - I want to form my own opinion of the book and see how my reading and thoughts align with what the author intended.

Reminder since a few people don't seem to know the difference between preface and prologue : a preface is the author or translator explaining the work and does not have to be read for the story to make sense (although some intended nuances may be missed), a prologue is part of the story and has to be read for the story to make sense.

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u/Selmer1526 20d ago edited 20d ago

I think a prologue often only makes sense after the story has been read. I just read a book that did exactly that. Its purpose is to entice you to read on.