Horror Aficionados discussion

The prologue, most likely, contains vital information. Why would anybody not want to read it?

I always read the prologue, the only part of a book I never read are the previews of upcoming books which sometimes appears in the back few pages. If I like the author then I'd be getting the upcoming book any way.

it's bloody stupid not to read the prologue.

Prologues I read. Forwards I do not, Especially forwards written by "academics"...just tell me the whole story why don't you!

forwards are written to be read after you read the book for another point of view to the book. in my copy of justine by de sade has I brilliant and informative forward about the author and different ways you should read de sade. if you really liked the book read the forward, it's worth it. that goes to the essays written by academics as well (sometimes added at the back).

Whoever would skip a prologue just doesn't know what a prologue is. I can see skipping (or saving for later) introductions and forwards, however. But I usually read everything in the book, including the copyright page.

No I never skip anything, why would the author write it if he or she didn't want you to read it. Like here I wrote this and it's apart of the book but hey you don't have to read it just skip it, I really wrote it published it just for fun. Lol...

You wouldn't skip the epilogue...why on earth would anyone skip the prologue? It's part of the book!

I can't imagine NOT reading the proglog! Sometimes you have a prologue that is simply a rehash of the story up to that point (such as the "What Has Gone Before" segements that begin each of the books--except the first--in Donaldson's Thomas Covenant series...es.) I'll still read those just to see if I missed something that the author brings out.

Ken wrote: "Prologues I read. Forwards I do not, Especially forwards written by "academics"...just tell me the whole story why don't you!"

Yes, too many stories spoiled by forewards. I do read them afterward to get more insight into the story if I liked it.

Sometimes the prologue of a horror book is just a throwaway attack/haunting scene with a faceless character we never meet again. I find those odd.

Quite honestly, the prologue in my first horror book ties in later on within the story when the plot begins to develop more, but if someone were to skip it, they wouldn't be lost. I think it just helps to set the mood and foster sympathy for the main character initially....

I never skip anything that becomes before or after in a book. I feel if I did I would probably be missing important information about the story.

If I read the book a hundred times, maybe, but the prologue sets up the story to follow, so skipping that is like skipping the first chapter. I wouldn't want to jump to the middle of a book unless I already know what the beginning entails.

I never skip the prologue cause most times if I don't get the book right away I think..hmm perhaps I should have read the beginning of what I skipped! I've found way too many books confusing and hard to know whats going on as it is and skipping a part would only make it even worse! Read all parts of a book is neccessary. Right now I'm reading Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and sometimes theres (*) next to words which indicates an event or describes the word. and what it means in more detail at the bottom, you bet I read it not only for extra knowledge but so I know whats going on better.

I have never skipped the prologue. Why would anyone? That's like skipping the first chapter. Or skipping the first five minutes of a movie. I don't read author/publisher notes anymore though. They have too many spoilers.

The only book I ever skipped the prologue in was . I was in 7th grade, and tried like 3 times to read it. Finally I skipped it, went straight to the story, and absolutely loved that book. Afterwards, though, I went back and read the prologue. (It was about the formation of the islands, which held little interest for me. I don't remember it having much else to do with the story itself.)

I always read acknowledgements and forwards, too. I imagine that people who skip prologues are people who don't read too many books in the first place. I still shake my head at this.

Jason wrote: "I always read acknowledgements and forwards, too. I imagine that people who skip prologues are people who don't read too many books in the first place. I still shake my head at this."

Right. They likely just don't know what a prologue is. They think it's a forward or an introduction.

it depends on the book. if it's an actual novel, no. I usually don't. cookbooks or how to books, yes I skip it.

Sometimes prologues are essential to the story itself and if skipped could leave you scratching your head wondering whats going on

No. I read everything in a book, even the author bio and the Introduction if there is one. Sometimes it's important to gaining a better understanding of the book.

People do this?! I can't even imagine skipping anything in a book.

Of course not. Seriously, what the hell?

Particularly true life books about events and people. The Prologue sets the whole context and setting of the book.
It would be like ordering a 3 course meal and leaving your starter. Crazy!!!

no, never.