leet32•1mo ago

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?

3 comments

3 Comments

campbell.robin1mo ago

Honestly my buddy Dave got told his cat's daily nap was a redemption arc.

olivia_webb6h 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.

troy_ross1mo 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.