Let’s Talk Bookish – Clichés

Aria @ Book Nook Bits is the new host for Let’s Talk Bookish! If you aren’t following her yet, good check out her blog and give her a follow!

June 23: Are bookish clichés inherently bad? (Aria)

Prompts: There are lots of clichés that can be found in books, from love triangles to the chosen one to the boy next door. What makes a cliché a cliché? Is a cliché inherently bad to have in a book? Or can an overused storyline or theme be done well? What are your least favorites? Are there any clichés you will tolerate, or even enjoy reading?

Welcome to another week of LTB here at DTRH, everyone! Today’s topic is about clichés and it’s certainly a world full of them. But are they really bad?

A cliché is usually something that is way overdone, or way overdramatized to the point where everyone can see it coming from ten thousand miles away and it’s not even good. I think what kind of makes it a cliché is when the thing is done or written in a certain way that is only for the sake of it following the cliché. Like when protagonists inevitably fall in love with their best friend, in a story where it had no business going there. Or adding a third person randomly out of nowhere just to make a love triangle for no reason.

I don’t think clichés are inherently bad to have in a book, but I definitely think judicious use of them is important. It is important not to just stick them in there just because, but rather to use them to play with expectations. Or at least that’s how I like it done. When I read mysteries and thrillers, it’s always about how the author can play with my expectations and tropes and clichés that tempt me to guess at what’s coming. It’s all about the use of the plot device for sure.

I actually think most people do enjoy a good cliché—when it’s done well. People love a slow burn, or a love triangle, or a boy next door, but not when it’s just jammed in there for the sake of it. I think people actually do like when authors play with these and make them more elaborate, or change up some key factors. That’s what keeps things fun and exciting and not cliché. But let me know if you don’t agree!

I honestly don’t mind any clichés or tropes for that matter. It’s more about how the author uses it to tell the story. If the story relies on something like a cliché to make it a good story…well chances are it’s not a great story. It really is just a tool and they can be good or bad depending on how the author chooses to use them.

How do you all feel about clichés? Yay or nay? Sometimes or never? Let me know in the comments below!