Men and Fiction

You may ask why read fiction when I’m perfectly happy with my cars, my tools, my sports, or even non-fiction? Books and their stories provide equipment for living. Aristotle posed the question, how should a human being live his life? Traditionally, people have sought answers in four areas: philosophy, science, religion or art. Well philosophy and science have become too esoteric or complicated and religion has become an empty ritual where people pray to a God they hope exists. This leaves the art of story. Story and fiction is not an escape from reality but a quest to make sense out of the anarchy of existence. Fiction is a metaphor for life which leads you to self-awareness and a better understanding of how to approach your everyday existence. Fiction makes you think about yourself, the immediate people around you and wider society.

Industry statistics indicate that 70% of fiction readers are women. Consequently this forces publishers to cater specifically to this demographic, in turn ostracising the male reader. Women have been controlling the publishing industry for too long, rendering men and the male reader a silent minority. I’m aiming to redress this balance and bring back the male reader, eyes squinting, into the limelight.

This website aims to introduce people to quality literary fiction and filter both new and old releases through the eyes of an avid male reader so that you know what you are getting. I believe many male readers have low tolerance level to unsatisfying fiction and will put off further reading after encountering several negative reading experiences. I want to reinvigorate the male reading public and provide them with the same enthusiasm I have for literature and all its benefits.

Literature can teach you about yourself, about humanity and ultimately how to live your life. Quality literary fiction tells the truth about our lives and presents different phases of reality through an aesthetic, artistic medium. To all male readers – don’t forego your opportunity to experience reading as an act of self-awareness! Women are also welcome to use this site, but it is male readers I am specifically targeting. I guess if I help all people to read more and watch less television I will have achieved something…