Why do readers get obsessive?

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   Phoebe Pikeposted 13 years ago

   I see fan clubs made based on authors and even people dressing up as characters from books and movies... why is this? Do they love the book so much they want to embody it or is it simply the bandwagon syndrome?

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      Motown2Chitownposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I'm not personally the dress up like your favorite literary character kinda gal, unless of course it's for some sort of special occasion.  But I've been considered an obsessive reader by some.  I've read books that literally as I breathed out after reading the last word, I've wanted to breathe in and start all over again.  Fantasy is addictive for some.  Maybe that's it?  I'm a little in agreement with Trish_M - maybe it's a way to continue the magic that you experienced while reading the book.

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      AlyzaLewisposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      What's wrong with dressing up like characters from books you love?  I wore a Renaissance dress to church when our Sunday School class started a lesson series on Christian illustrations and symbolism in Chronicles of Narnia... would you call that obsessive?  lol
      
      I like dressing up personally, and I look for excuses to do it.

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      Rosie2Travelposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Recently I went to the Harry Potter Premier (Midnight showing). My sisters thought I was crazy for doing this and I didn't understand why until  I got there. Only about a quarter of the people there were in "normal" clothes!! In fact, the guy in front of me was dressed like Professor Lupin, complete with the powder in his hair and a replica wand. I never understood the need to dress up like the characters or how that meant you were somehow more connected to the book  than those of us that just showed up.
      It also seems to be more frequent in fantasy books or movies; I didn't see anyone wearing 1940s dresses in line to see the Notebook.

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   Quilligrapherposted 13 years ago

   More like celebrity adoration, I would say.

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   Travis_S_Musicposted 13 years ago

   The same reason people dress up for Halloween..? They like to use their imagination and have fun with something that doesn't deal with their personal daily stresses. Though I do find it a bit odd, but really, the only difference from dressing up on Halloween is...well..Halloween's not the only day they dress up.

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      Genna Eastposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      i agree.  I think it depends on the frequency of "dress-up."  Music fans copy the dress of their favorite rock groups; trekkies dress up as their characters.  As long as this does not take over one's life and personality, and is just good fun.

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   AdeleCosgroveBrayposted 13 years ago

   Where's the harm in people having fun, as they see it?

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      Phoebe Pikeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I see no real harm in it, I'm simply curious on why it happens. For example, I saw about 20 Harry Potter fans dressed in full attire for movie premiers, but most of the costumes looked uncomfortable.

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   Stina Caxeposted 13 years ago

   I suppose there are worse things people could be doing.  Sometimes I see pictures of people who have dressed up as characters and I am just amazed at their creativeness.  But to answer your question I think it's just a hobby and a passion perhaps the same way I would feel about writing or painting they feel about cosplay.  It's almost an art in itself, sort of like acting in a play.

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      Travis_S_Musicposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      That's exactly right. Some people take it as far as "roleplay" which is acting, in their own sort of play.

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   Trish_Mposted 13 years ago

   Many times we hear people say that they loved a book so much that they simply could not put it down ~ yet they never wanted it to end. Perhaps this is a way of keeping the enjoyment going.

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   paradigmsearchposted 13 years ago

   Hobbies are good for you.

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   JLCloseposted 13 years ago

   I have never actually done any dressing up because of a specific book, but if the right one came along, I think I might. It sounds fun! And I'll take any excuse to dress up. Maybe it's the actress in me.

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   psycheskinnerposted 12 years ago

   Why do people feel the need to pathologize play, fandom and whimsy? It's a way to have fun, that's all.

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    FloraBreenRobisonposted 12 years ago

    I must agree with the majority of responses here. As long as it doesn't take over your life, what's the harm? Should'nt we be happy when people are excited to be reading?  There is so much misery in the world, how wonderful that these people are having fun.

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    Home Girlposted 12 years ago

    I like to read murder mysteries but I do not feel inclined to go and kill somebody...

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