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My book club keeps calling every character arc a redemption story
I joined a new group in Austin about 6 months ago and we read 'The Sense of an Ending' last month. Every single character who makes one decent choice after being a jerk gets labeled a redemption arc. It drives me nuts because actual redemption takes work and change over time, not just a single apology on page 240. I've read maybe 50 books in the last 3 years and that pattern keeps popping up in discussions. Am I being too picky or do other people see this too?
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campbell.robin4mo ago
Honestly my buddy Dave got told his cat's daily nap was a redemption arc.
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olivia_webb3mo ago
Ask them straight up what they actually think redemption means. Is it just someone not being a complete monster for five minutes? Because if that's the bar we're using, then every character who doesn't burn down an orphanage qualifies. I'd be curious to hear how they'd define a true redemption arc versus someone just having a basic moment of decency.
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troy_ross4mo ago
Guess we should start calling every character who says sorry a "reformed saint" now. These book clubs act like one decent choice at the end wipes out two hundred pages of being a total jerk. Real redemption takes effort, not just a late apology.
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