Julia’s answer to “Julia, my dear Mystery and Literature expert, is there a term for implausible deductions in the mys…” > Likes and Comments
2 likes · Like
Yes, playing fair is what creates the pleasure of reading and solving for the reader, right? What fun is it to be an clueless (ha ha) observer on the sidelines? What is this Deus Ex Machina convention as applies to mysteries? Any examples you can think of in the genre?
I was referring more to the term that came out of the Ancient Greek plays, when the gods would solve the problems and the humans didn't have to find their own way out of their troubles. It's a cheat that might have worked then, but isn't appreciated now by savvy readers who want to see the characters (especially detectives) grow and change and solve the mystery based on things they learn along the way.
back to top
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Cindy
(new)
Mar 10, 2016 12:28PM
Yes, playing fair is what creates the pleasure of reading and solving for the reader, right? What fun is it to be an clueless (ha ha) observer on the sidelines? What is this Deus Ex Machina convention as applies to mysteries? Any examples you can think of in the genre?
reply
|
flag
I was referring more to the term that came out of the Ancient Greek plays, when the gods would solve the problems and the humans didn't have to find their own way out of their troubles. It's a cheat that might have worked then, but isn't appreciated now by savvy readers who want to see the characters (especially detectives) grow and change and solve the mystery based on things they learn along the way.
