Why so few "choose-your-own-adventure" type books?

[suncrafter]

I've always wondered why the "Choose-your-own-adventure" type of books never gained wide acceptance. Why were they largely confined to just fantasy and RPG? And why mostly kid books?

Why hasn't, for example, Steven King made a novel with a "Choose-your-own-adventure" format? He could let the readers guide the actions of the protagonist. Something like: "If you think Paula should run from the Zombie - turn to page 184. If you think Paula should try to kill the zombie with her axe - turn to page 701. If you think she should stand there and scream like an idiot.... etc... etc...

You would think that there would be at least ONE big-name author who would have tried something like that - if only for a publicity gimmick.

Why so few CYOA books? Is there some kind of stupid copyright law that prevents it? Anyone know?

[sisterandcousinandaunt]

People who write books get paid for them. If Stephen King has two ideas for a story (one where she runs from the Zombie, and one where she attacks him) he writes two books, and gets paid twice.

When you're writing a book, too, there's momentum (if you're lucky). Even if you thought it would be swell for your protagonist to visit the Spanish Steps midway, he or she may stubbornly insist on puttering around the garden, instead. Hopefully, particularly in a mystery format, the progression is inevitable, at least in retrospect. Agatha Christie is particularly good, in this. I just finished rereading "By the Pricking of My Thumbs" and again enjoyed the feeling of "Damn! I should have seen that coming!" because it's all fairly laid out in the text. A lesser talent, like JoAnna Carl, who writes diverting little Chocoholic mysteries, doesn't have the same problem...if she wants to get somewhere, she just goes, no foreshadowing.

An annoying habit of J.K. Rowling, I always thought. ;)

[Mari]

I like cyoa-books! The only problem is that I want to read all the different endings, so it takes me quite some time to read it.
But actually I like all kinds of books.
I do think it is rather difficult to write them, since you have to be able to think of a story which can go many ways without being too unrealistic. If I were to ever write a book it would probably be one with a "straight" ending.

[Earniel]

Moved to General Literature.

[Rían]

When you're writing a book, too, there's momentum (if you're lucky). Even if you thought it would be swell for your protagonist to visit the Spanish Steps midway, he or she may stubbornly insist on puttering around the garden, instead. True!

Agatha Christie is particularly good, in this. I just finished rereading "By the Pricking of My Thumbs" and again enjoyed the feeling of "Damn! I should have seen that coming!" because it's all fairly laid out in the text. Be sure to read her "The Murder of Roger Ackroyd" - one of her best ones! Really an excellent twist, and one that you feel that you should have known ...

[Elanor]

I read a few of these when I was a kid, and I mostly enjoyed them, but I always ended up with about 10 bookmarks at the different choice points so I could go back and read what would have happened the other way. Hm, I think it might be fun to have something like this in electronic form, since it would have room for more choices. You would follow the story, make decisions, and you'd have to keep going to the end... wait a minute! What I just described is basically just a video game without the graphics and controls. Hm...

[IronParrot]

I used to read a good chunk of them too, but I get the distinct sense that they are a bit of a publishing nightmare. That, and their interactive/"hypertextual" nature has been completely usurped and surpassed by video games and websites.

Even in mainstream video games, though, the adventure genre that is most alike the CYOA books is comatose and possibly dead.

[bropous]

Not realyl contributing to the conversation, but...

Very nice to see you still around, IP.

[Curubethion]

I used to read a good chunk of them too, but I get the distinct sense that they are a bit of a publishing nightmare. That, and their interactive/"hypertextual" nature has been completely usurped and surpassed by video games and websites.

Even in mainstream video games, though, the adventure genre that is most alike the CYOA books is comatose and possibly dead.
Agreed.

And besides, aren't these books really just a crude form of RPGs? Like, really, really down a lot of notches.

You know, these books always kinda disturbed me a little too, with the "bad endings" that had you end up dead or something. Kinda morbid. Dunno if that's just me...

[Lady Ravyn]

i borrowed this awesome book from my friend called "pretty little mistakes: a do-over novel" by heather mcelhatton. it's not fantasy or anything, it's sorta a girly comedy type book, but it's pretty awesome. it's like an adult cyoa book
:)

[Draken]

'Choose Your Own Adventure' style books still appear now and then - my middle daughter was very taken by a recent 'Doctor Who' book based on last year's series.

Similar are the solo RPG gamebooks where as well as just choosing which option to take you manage the mechanics of RPG-style encounters (ie you need dice and to understand some rules). Their heyday is over but some of the early commercial series are still reprinted every so often, and there's quite a lively niche market kept alive by enthusiasts.

Check out http://www.gamebooks.org, almost certainly the best resource for them on the web. While you're there have a look at the review for "Last Stand at Kirrinbahr", a work of rare subtlety and erudition from an unsung master of the genre ;)

[Nurvingiel]

I read a few of these when I was a kid and quickly became bored.

My biggest problem with CYOA books is that they are formulaic and boring. It says "choose" your own adventure, but you only ever get two or three choices per scenario; its attempt at realism falls flat because books simply don't work like that. To really make the reader feel engaged in a story, you have to write a book that makes them feel as if they're in the middle of the action. Having "enter the room, p. 79" and "go down the hall, p. 84" is jarring and really adds nothing to the excitement.

i borrowed this awesome book from my friend called "pretty little mistakes: a do-over novel" by heather mcelhatton. it's not fantasy or anything, it's sorta a girly comedy type book, but it's pretty awesome. it's like an adult cyoa book
:)This book sounds awesome. :D It makes me think about Jasper Fforde's books about Thursday Next. Ever read those?

[IronParrot]

Those of you who are interested in choose-your-own-adventure stories (and are willing to see them unfold onscreen instead of on paper) should look up "interactive fiction".

They're text-based role-playing games like those of the days of yore - you know, where you type in directions like "north" and "south", pick things up, talk to people, and so forth - but there's a lot more emphasis on the storytelling than the mechanics.

Two of my favourites: Hamlet: The Text Adventure (http://www.versificator.co.uk/hamlet/) (seriously!) and Galatea (http://emshort.wordpress.com/my-work/).

[Tessar]

Those are really neat, IP. I'll have to give them a try, since I used to love choose your own adventure books :).

Did anyone ever read those Greyhawk books? I think they were by Andre Norton. Quag Keep and Return to Quag Keep. The first one was very good, but the second one was rather odd and I could've done without it.... but it was based off of RPGs and choose your own adventure books, so I was interested in it back when I read it.

[suncrafter]

Those of you who are interested in choose-your-own-adventure stories (and are willing to see them unfold onscreen instead of on paper) should look up "interactive fiction".

They're text-based role-playing games like those of the days of yore - you know, where you type in directions like "north" and "south", pick things up, talk to people, and so forth - but there's a lot more emphasis on the storytelling than the mechanics.

Two of my favourites: Hamlet: The Text Adventure (http://www.versificator.co.uk/hamlet/) (seriously!) and Galatea (http://emshort.wordpress.com/my-work/).

Thanks! I'll check them out.

[Nurvingiel]

Those do sound pretty fantastic. I'm reading "Hamlet - The Text Adventure" right now and it's terrific! It reminds me of playing the Hitch-hiker's guide to the Galaxy computer game, except without the mind-shredding difficulty.

Edit: a spoiler-free quote from the game
Kitchen
Exits are north and down.

> cook carrot
Please, You're a royal! You have servants to do that sort of thing!

:D

[Earniel]

> kiss horatio
I don't think you and Horatio are close enough for that.
I can't believe they actually had a fitting reply. Fun game. :D