Did you read the recent story about Keith Richards?
It wasn’t anything scandalous this time. No inappropriate behavior.
It was the fact that he’d always had a secret longing to be a librarian (see this Times UK article. )
The article reveals a whole other facet to Keith Richards that I hadn’t realized existed. Actually, I found this article much more surprising than his hospitalization in 2006 when he fell from a coconut tree in Fiji.
He has thousands of books in his homes in Sussex and Connecticut and considered professional training to learn to manage those libraries.
According to the article:
In his autobiography, Life, due to be published in October, Richards will reveal how, as a child growing up in the post-war-austerity of 1950s London, he found refuge in books before he discovered the blues.
There are hidden depths to every person, though. Old dreams, new dreams, hopes, fears, interests.
I’ve read quite a few sort of midlife-crisisy books where the protagonist realizes they’ve been going the wrong direction with their life. The book follows their voyage of self-discovery as they break from the shackles of their old life and pick up a new one.
I’ll admit that usually I don’t find those books really satisfying and I’ve never been able to put my finger on exactly why they’re not enjoyable for me. I enjoy these type of books when the book is a memoir or a biography–because the characters are real people who have overcome major obstacles in their lives to become better people.
In a novel? Eh. I just don’t like them as much.
I think it’s because, although we do have these hidden facets to ourselves, it can be very difficult to change course in our life.
Imagine if Keith Richards suddenly decided he’d become a librarian, after all. Not, I’m thinking, going back to school and getting his Masters in Library Science, but maybe working as a library tech.
Think about how disruptive his presence in the library would be. There would be fans there—and paparazzi. The library is a public place, after all. It probably wouldn’t be the peaceful oasis he seems to be craving…because his old life, his celebrity, would intrude in his new one.
Maybe the life change is something completely different—maybe a character suddenly discovers his spiritual side and decides to become involved in a church or synagogue. Which is great…except maybe this character’s old buddies aren’t on board with his spiritual transformation and set up roadblocks for him so they can keep their relationship on the same course.
The same buddies could be there to sabotage their old buddy’s new marriage…undercutting her so they won’t lose the hanging out time with their friend.
I think many times life changes can create more conflict than not…even when the life changes are ostensibly good.
Of course, the story could go completely the opposite way. The protagonist makes a life change from a nonproductive course to a completely different one—she ditches her unhelpful spouse, gets in touch with her spirituality, discovers she’s a wonderful artist—and it all goes well. It’s a transformation story.
But where’s the fun of that? I think it’s not quite so easy. There are set-backs and conflicts between the old life and the new one.
Read any good life transformation/midlife crisis stories? Did the protagonist suffer many setbacks on their road to self-discovery?
Elizabeth, Oh my, he would cause a disruption. But that seems like less destructive as a mid life crisis than some.
I suppose characters need to go through the same life issues as real people but frankly real life can sometimes be boring and sterotypical.
Teresa
Some things to think about in this post. I think it definitely helps the reader relate if the character is going through similar issues. Thanks for sharing the post.
Now I really want to read a book about an old rocker deciding to become a librarian. :-)
I think conflict is a key element to holding my interest in a novel. A mid-life crisis can be an interesting aspect in a character, but I agree that it’s not particularly compelling reading unless there are set-backs and challenges to the transformation.
I really like the Jackson Brodie mysteries by Kate Atkinson because he always seems to be dealing with a life/career/relationship transition, and even though his life changes substantially over the books, it never gets easy or simple for him.
Definitely a good post to ponder. Sometimes when a protagonist changes direct in a story, it’s too much of a change that wouldn’t seem normal to the reader. Or maybe the reason for the change that doesn’t fit right. However, changes can make for some very interesting reading.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Elizabeth – Oh, that is an interesting question. Just lately I haven’t read books where the protagonist has made a mid-life transformation. However, your post made me think of Dorothy Gilman’s Emily Pollifax series. Later in life, Mrs. Pollifax decides she’s had enough of being a suburban New Jersey widow, and becomes…a CIA agent. That change worked very well for her. For Keith Richards? Hmmmm…don’t know about that…
Keith Richards as a librarian – what a great image!! People are always full of interesting layers, aren’t they?
Well my memoir has a protagonist that suffered many setbacks on the way to self-discovery, lol. Very interesting stuff about Keith that I did not know. All I ever knew was he was such a druggie they had to give him a complete blood transfusion after every Stones tour. Good to know there is a depth to him as well.
Marvin D Wilson
I suppose many romances are transformational stories. We all go through transformations all our lives.
And that, I think is the key to a good use of transformation in fiction – it’s a part of life, and if it’s a good transformation that’s probably not what the story is about. It’s flavor.
A difficult transformation, on the other hand, pushes out everything else. Keith Richards working at your local public library would be a comedy, probably. (Hmmmm, but what if the story was about somebody ELSE? And Keith’s transformation were the catalyst…)
hmmm…if my protagonist doesn’t change the arc of their life why would anyone want to read my book? I want to be engaged and I want movement – even if Scarlet O’Hara only has the smallest realization that she has been attached to the wrong things by the end of the book – that’s OK with me. If she just said ‘fiddle-de-dee’ at the end, I wouldn’t have read Gone with the Wind 28 times. It is also why I’m a therapist because we can change those things that don’t really belong to us. It isn’t that Keith Richards needs to become a librarian for me to be satisfied – it’s that he has to KNOW himself and honour that or not if it’s fiction. So for me, there has to be a change however subtle – I’m rooting for the protagonist to wake up. Like in the Remains of the Day when the butler realizes his life has been empty and he’s attached value to materialistic and hateful people. It’s stunning that, heartbreaking and real.
A librarian? Would’ve never guessed.
Can’t think of any books offhand, although I’m sure I’ve seen several movies like that.
Teresa–Real life is boring most of the time, isn’t it? :)
Debbie–Set-backs make the difference, don’t they? I love the conflict that comes with it.
Cassandra–Thanks. And our change is usually something we struggle through.
Marvin–Ohhh…I didn’t know that about him. That’s really awful.
Mason–I think you’re right…sometimes the change seems forced.
Margot–I remember that! Great character. I think she used her old life and insights gained to help with her new one? That would be another way of handling the change.
Jan–You’re making a very good point. But I think there must be conflict with it, for the story to be good. My memory of the film (which is vague, since it’s from years ago…but might be vague even from last week at this point in my memory loss!) is that Hopkins’ character fights against this change for most of the film. I think Emma Thompson’s character is one of the most interesting…she was more modern and more willing to make a change.
Change in a character is VERY important. But I just don’t like the easy changes…I like some suffering along the way. :)
Jemi–They are…and ones we least suspect!
I agree with the idea that change is never easy and in a book is a killer. People (readers) are always in constant change and the idea that someone, even a character, can go through those changes with little or no effort is not acceptable.
Life is not easy even when it’s in a book.
Maribeth
Giggles and Guns
True, many stories contain a transformation of some sort. I can certainly see a spiritual transformation affecting drastic changes.
And when Keith Richards dies, will we be able to tell?
Just wanted to say, I couldn’t find your article from yesterday. But, I loved how Keith wanted to be a librarian. I think I would go and raise sheep if I had a chance.
CD
Diane–Yes, I think there are lots of movies like that.
Maribeth–I’ve read a lot of novels where the change IS the plot. But everything goes so WELL. The crazy life is left behind, the woman returns to the simple life with a picturesque cottage and a sudden interest in yoga. And everything turns out peachy keen. Bleh. I’m obviously jealous of these scenarios, but I expect some hiccups along the way!
The Daring Novelist–I LIKE it, Camille! So the fact Keith suddenly decided to become a librarian would throw his bodyguard’s life into complete chaos…foiling his attempt to spend more time at home with his family, and..
Alex–He looks SO rough, doesn’t he? It’s just *amazing* that he’s still around after the kind of life he’s led.
Clarissa–There’s something nice about raising sheep. Pretty pastures, gentle animals. And a certain degree of solitude that I think writers find appealing! :) No, unfortunately the article isn’t up yet. When I find out more, I’ll run it….thanks.