Struggling to understand fiction.

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I haven't properly read fiction since I was 16 (I'm now 22). My dad is trying to get me back into fiction. The problem I have is that when I read fiction, I don't understand the characters, I don't understand the plot and I hence cannot derive any joy from fiction.

Does anyone else here have trouble understanding fiction? Is this my AS?

Because I have trouble following films too.

I read lots of textbooks and internet resources, but I cannot get past page 30 of a fiction book because of the sheer effort needed to understand the plot/characters, which makes the whole experience negative.

I just thought it was the writer's fault.

I like Terry Pratchett.

I don't care for fiction either. I don't understand theme, author's tone and often find myself reading the same passage over and over in an attempt to understand it. It frustrates me and I believe it is a waste of time to read about a pretend world rather than the real world. I strongly believe it is related to AS. I also have trouble following films and often ask the person I am seeing the movie with for an explanation. I only watch action films and documentaries.

I love reading fiction.

If I am not frequently distracted during reading, I have all that I have read memorised, the lines characters said during the previous pages, the descriptions of places, clothes, random items... That's all there is to "understanding" the plot, isn't there? Keeping all that has happened so far in mind, not forgetting about anything. The memorisation happens automatically for me.

Understanding = memorisation, for me and I am better at (edit: spontaneous) memorisation than most normal people. I don't know, maybe I'm getting this wrong. I assume I don't understand what understanding the plots and the characters usually refers to when it comes to other/normal people.

I do experience massive troubles following the plot of films due to autism.

I tend to focus on (the wrong) details, fail to notice or take notice but misunderstand what is left between-the-lines (or rather, what in films remains unsaid but is expressed visually by gestures and eye-contact which in books would be pointed out and described in detail) and fail to recognise the (major) characters.

I am kind of on the reverse flip in that I generally believe anything that happens in fiction to be possible (within limits) - but then again, when I read, I do so for the concept or plot. The result I read really fast and do not pay too much attention to most of it. Plus I am very good at predicting what will happen - even with things like Harry Potter. So I will easily get frustrated. But like previously said, it also depends on the book/author.

I have a very hard time with books that have female main characters though. They kind of lack diversity because for some reason they require more of an emotional drive or bend to really emphasize their personality (which I find irritating) - if not, they end up very flat and shallow. Yes, I am analyzing this, sorry about that. And it could just be my opinion, because I write fiction things myself (Twilight Zone like, majorly conceptual based). Or because I got really good at it in high school (you can make anything mean anything if have the evidence to prove it - it is probably wrong, but who can deny it?). Not all fictitious things are bad though because they are often the inspiration for real world things. Cell phones for example came from Star Trek. But if you want to count spin off books from shows like that - I have no idea why they even exist. Just ranting on the story from someone else's world. Many books are redundant as well when you think you have a new idea that is really not....

If you would like a book you can relate to, try A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (if you can stand the obnoxious cover-color). I found it incredibly relatable and very straight-forward. Also how I ended up finding about my AS.

With all due respect for your Dad, I don't think it's necessary to read fiction if you aren't enjoying it. My mother was worried when I didn't grow a big love for reading, but I just am not interested in reading anything other than materials which benefit me somehow in real life. I love to read things like political and news articles, as those affect me, and those will keep me in tune with the world around me. I also like to read extensively about any of the things with regard to my special interests; including technology, and history of whatever that might be, etc.

Bottom line: If your Dad is worried about reading skills, and if that's not your problem (and it doesn't sound like it is), maybe try reassuring him that you indeed like to read, but your real interest is limited to certain things which may not include fiction or novels, etc.

Charles

I have enjoyed the novels of both Irwin Shaw and Anne Tyler.

But really, I don't think a person needs to read fiction out of a sense of obligation (other than school I guess).

I only read fiction if it's for class. I rarely connect with the characters and simply see it as a sequence of events most times. There are exceptions but I get really bored with it really fast. If I do read it, it's straightforward, succinct and doesn't focus too much on emotions or other sappy crap.

Might wanna just explain to your father that you just don't like it. I mean I did that with my mom and she stopped pushing it on me. I was still reading anyhow, just nonfictional works.

I agree with Charles. If you don't enjoy it then there isn't much point in reading fiction.

I absolutely love reading fiction. I love getting involved in the plots and characters (even if it does take me slightly longer than my NT friends, although reading lots of fiction in recent years has improved my ability). I think it is all about personal tastes - some people get it, some don't. Some love it, some don't. There is no point reading fiction unless you enjoy it otherwise it is pretty pointless really.

I love reading too. Still remember the thrill of holding in my 5-year-old hands my first ever public library card. It was typed up by the librarian on thin, white card stock. Was kind of disappointed it did not stand up to my minor abuse.

Then in 1st, 2d and 3d grades the teachers read, among other books, "Charlotte's Web," "Stuart Little" and "Chitty Chitty Bang-Bang" to us. Such fun books to hear aloud that also challenged our imaginations!

Anyway in the past week I finished reading mysteries by Lawrence Block and Perri O'Shaughnessy. Just started on one by George Pelecanos.

re fiction:
I don't like it. I could never wrap my brain around it. I can't follow the story lines. And it bores me. Now, facts are interesting.

According to the AQ, this is an AS trait: