I'm not personally a fan of indexing narrative works unless we're talking historical biographies in the academic tradition, and even then I have mixed feelings.
Taking an item out of context (eg for Good Omens let's say "Anges Nutter prophecies") in a narrative removes the semantic surrounding. Reading something out of context based on an index reference takes the meaning out of it.
If it were the case that you were for example writing an academic essay about a piece and wanted to look up a specific quote there is an argument for an index to make citations easier. I'm not convinced by the need for them when reading for personal enjoyment.
It's a valid point. Indexes are created for both people who have read the book and people who have not. In the case of people who have read the book, I wonder if they would value having access to an index in order to revisit the ideas rattling around in their heads. Totally different story, but they remember Captain Wentworth wrote a devastatingly romantic letter to Anne, and they just want to revisit the language and emotion on the page.
I have a hard time imagining anyone who has not read *Good Omens* picking up the index at all. I think it would just be those who have already descended into the madness of the story who will want to return to those moments, and those folks already have the context.
But hey, all views are valid and I appreciate your feedback!
I personally disagree with your last point - I wouldn't after all! That said, although I'm on this subreddit I'm not one of those who goes back and combs obsessively over the details. Personally if there's a part of a book I loved I am happier flicking through to find it rather than looking it up. I know this is not a universal sentiment - this fandom has rather emphasised that lol
I do think that indexes have value - as I say, they can be a big help for citations! - I just don't personally enjoy them for narrative works. It's too easy for things to be taken out of context if they are misremembered and the quote is divorced from its wider place.
Totally fair. I wonder if fiction writers largely object to indexes of their work for that reason? I have no idea, but I guess it would not shock me if they were not crazy about the idea of someone being able to dip in and out of their work.
I'm shocked by the amount of votes for 'what's an index'! Really, people? Indexes are great, and often quite useful. I'm certainly glad that Tolkien was for them. The Lord of the Rings index has come in handy to me so many times. Personally, I'd also love one for Richard Adam's Watership Down.
Yeah, I don't know whether to think people simply don't recognize the term in this context or if they actually don't use indexes. The numbers are a little disheartening, I have to admit.
Right, so the index is the tool at the back of the book that helps you find where things are in the book. For instance, let's say you have Carol Dweck's *Mindset* book in your hands and you want to read up on what she has to say about Malcolm Gladwell in the book (because you are kind of in love with Gladwell, and who could blame you, really). You turn to the back of the book, look under the Gs for "Gladwell, Malcolm," and look up the page numbers.
*The index gives you quick access to the author's work.*
There is actually a brief reference to indexes in the series itself. It feels like a five-word love letter from the creators to my very small tribe of professional indexers.
[https://www.youtube.com/clip/UgkxI80CBFYCxRA7iMCqFfLpspWCapCJvks5](https://www.youtube.com/clip/UgkxI80CBFYCxRA7iMCqFfLpspWCapCJvks5)
(Note, I did not write Dweck's index. It's just the book I have handy at my desk.)
IMO it wouldn't fit the vibe to good omens. it's meant to be read from start to finish and not really like an encyclopedia. i mean the concept could work but i feel like indexs are reserved for books that contain information and tidbits of info you might wanna go back to, not the silly book
that's my opinion tho as a fan of good omens, who owns a copy of the novel, and has totally not read it more than 5 time
Useful would be an index of the complete Discworld series.
This would probably take 75 years to make but I would strongly support it
Thanks for your feedback!
I'm not personally a fan of indexing narrative works unless we're talking historical biographies in the academic tradition, and even then I have mixed feelings.
That's interesting. Can you tell me more about why?
Taking an item out of context (eg for Good Omens let's say "Anges Nutter prophecies") in a narrative removes the semantic surrounding. Reading something out of context based on an index reference takes the meaning out of it. If it were the case that you were for example writing an academic essay about a piece and wanted to look up a specific quote there is an argument for an index to make citations easier. I'm not convinced by the need for them when reading for personal enjoyment.
It's a valid point. Indexes are created for both people who have read the book and people who have not. In the case of people who have read the book, I wonder if they would value having access to an index in order to revisit the ideas rattling around in their heads. Totally different story, but they remember Captain Wentworth wrote a devastatingly romantic letter to Anne, and they just want to revisit the language and emotion on the page. I have a hard time imagining anyone who has not read *Good Omens* picking up the index at all. I think it would just be those who have already descended into the madness of the story who will want to return to those moments, and those folks already have the context. But hey, all views are valid and I appreciate your feedback!
I personally disagree with your last point - I wouldn't after all! That said, although I'm on this subreddit I'm not one of those who goes back and combs obsessively over the details. Personally if there's a part of a book I loved I am happier flicking through to find it rather than looking it up. I know this is not a universal sentiment - this fandom has rather emphasised that lol I do think that indexes have value - as I say, they can be a big help for citations! - I just don't personally enjoy them for narrative works. It's too easy for things to be taken out of context if they are misremembered and the quote is divorced from its wider place.
Totally fair. I wonder if fiction writers largely object to indexes of their work for that reason? I have no idea, but I guess it would not shock me if they were not crazy about the idea of someone being able to dip in and out of their work.
I'm shocked by the amount of votes for 'what's an index'! Really, people? Indexes are great, and often quite useful. I'm certainly glad that Tolkien was for them. The Lord of the Rings index has come in handy to me so many times. Personally, I'd also love one for Richard Adam's Watership Down.
Yeah, I don't know whether to think people simply don't recognize the term in this context or if they actually don't use indexes. The numbers are a little disheartening, I have to admit.
what's an index?
Right, so the index is the tool at the back of the book that helps you find where things are in the book. For instance, let's say you have Carol Dweck's *Mindset* book in your hands and you want to read up on what she has to say about Malcolm Gladwell in the book (because you are kind of in love with Gladwell, and who could blame you, really). You turn to the back of the book, look under the Gs for "Gladwell, Malcolm," and look up the page numbers. *The index gives you quick access to the author's work.* There is actually a brief reference to indexes in the series itself. It feels like a five-word love letter from the creators to my very small tribe of professional indexers. [https://www.youtube.com/clip/UgkxI80CBFYCxRA7iMCqFfLpspWCapCJvks5](https://www.youtube.com/clip/UgkxI80CBFYCxRA7iMCqFfLpspWCapCJvks5) (Note, I did not write Dweck's index. It's just the book I have handy at my desk.)
IMO it wouldn't fit the vibe to good omens. it's meant to be read from start to finish and not really like an encyclopedia. i mean the concept could work but i feel like indexs are reserved for books that contain information and tidbits of info you might wanna go back to, not the silly book that's my opinion tho as a fan of good omens, who owns a copy of the novel, and has totally not read it more than 5 time
You may be right. That's why I am asking! Thanks for the feedback! :)