How would you navigate Tolkien’s Middle Earth without a map in the index? Could you imagine George R.R. Martin’s saga minus detailed charts of Westeros? But when is a map useful in a book and when is it a crutch for the author?
I’m a big fan of maps in books, although I’ll admit it works better in certain genres than others, i.e. Fantasy versus Literary fiction. However, I’ve found that I prefer not to use maps in my own stories as I often find it a symptom of an overly complicated plot. For instance, because the plot of Mists of Avalon is so well told, I don’t need a map to understand the differences between Camelot and Tintagel, whereas I’ve found the galactic maps in Star Wars fiction baffling to the point that I don’t even use them.
What do you think about using maps in a novel? When is it a good idea, and when is it a sign that the storyline can’t stand on its own? How do you approach the use of maps in your work writing?
I think they work best in fantasy. Space is really hard to depict in a 2D image.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I love maps. As many as possible in any genre.
ReplyDeleteI too love maps, especially if the story takes place over a series. That way, I can anticipate where the next book will go based on the places they haven't gone yet. Inheritance Cycle, for example.
ReplyDeleteHello Mark:
ReplyDeleteIn general we are in favour of maps in novels. It would be even more of a mystery to follow Donna Leon's Inspector Brunetti around Venice without a canal map!!
I'm a geography geek (I studied cartography in college), so I love all maps. I don't see them as a crutch. I see them more like an enhancement that helps me experience the world on one more level. They work for historical and fantasy equally well, I think. My son believes every fantasy novel should come with a map. ;)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE maps in novel! Though, I only really see them as necessary in a fantasy world. Unless, like Rick Riordan, you need to know the layout of the lad to envision the scenes going on :)
ReplyDeleteI love books that require maps. One local author commented in a class once that he doesn't consider a book worth reading if it doesn't have a map. lol
ReplyDeleteI love maps if it's someplace that has been created (like fantasy). That way I can wonder what the places are about that I'm not currently reading about. And whether I'll get to go there :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite novels are almost always those that need a map, but I agree, there are certainly stories that don't.
ReplyDeleteOf course I love Tolkiens maps because I've studied them for so long. The book I'm reading right now is 1700's Edinburgh (Here burns my candle) and I'm enjoying that map as well. Like yourself, I don't like them if they become too complicated.
ReplyDeleteI love maps. When I open a fantasy novel and I see a map, it gives me the impression of a fully realised world.
ReplyDeleteI think maps are a dangerous thing. I think authors should create them for personal use, but sometimes they're only understandable by the author. I've seen several maps that have been so detailed and confusing I've just gone, 'huh?'
ReplyDeleteI think they work best in fantasy, personally. And only if the story being told involves a lot of travel. My own, personal books will have maps because of that reason. My characters are traipsing through different countries and areas and while I am pretty good at describing this, visuals will help.
ReplyDeleteGood post!
I agree that it depends on the genre. It also depends on the plot. If the characters are moving all over the place, I'd like to have a visual of "where" to fit the "when."
ReplyDeleteI love maps. I actually prefer it if they're complicated and I have to think for a few moments to figure out where the characters are--I think it adds more detail and realism to a story. It seems more tangible.
ReplyDeleteI like to have an idea of where the characters are, but I don't refer to maps that often if a book has one. It's good if you can envisage the world in your head. Terry Pratchett resisted mapping the Discworld for years - he thought it couldn't be done as he'd made it up as he went along. When they did it though, it worked really well!
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point there: the story really should stand on its own without a map, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteA handful of historical novels I've enjoyed included maps. Those, more so than fantasy or non-fiction, are actually super helpful since names and boundary markers changed drastically even during the course of the novel sometimes. Makes it so I don't have to dig out my old textbooks.
ReplyDeleteI agree that I shouldn't have to be flipping to a map throughout the story. But things did make a little more sense when I realized Game of Thrones had a map. :)
ReplyDeleteI love maps when I read because it sparks my imagination and gives me a sense of geography. I like maps in pretty much any genre. You see I have a terrible sense of direction and distance. So if I have a picture that I can look at I can say things like - wow she ran from the school to the grocery story, that was like far!
ReplyDeleteI use them in writing for much the same reason. But I try to have either my alpha or beta readers read my work without the map - to make sure they still get a clear picture of the geography of my world.
Alex – I agree, 3D is difficult to express on the page.
ReplyDeleteDeborah – They are certainly fun:)
David – I haven’t read those books, but I guess I’ll have to look into them.
Jane/Lance – Well, I’ve gotten lost in Venice before with and without a map, so I can imagine it being pretty complicated in a book.
L.G. – That’s so cool that you studied cartography, I’d love to take a class in that. Fantasy books definitely seem to lend themselves to maps.
J.A. – I agree, it suits fantasy for sure, and Rick uses mythology in a fantasy-esk way so I see it as applicable there too.
Donna – Wow, that’s quite a statement form that guy. Not sure I agree, but I appreciate the boldness;)
Kelley – Oddly, I always find myself wanting to go to the places that don’t exist, like Middle Earth.
Matthew – Yeah, it definitely depends upon the book.
Seri – I have a collection of Tolkien maps, so I share your enthusiasm, but a certain simplicity is necessary for a fun map.
Lynda – It does indeed. Like a journal entry or a letter in a novel, I find maps help make a story more real.
McKenzie – Definitely. I see it as a double-edged sword, something the author has to balance very carefully if they intend to publish it.
Caldonia – I agree, visuals help, so long as it compliments the storyline.
Emily – Ah, like a timeline of sorts. Very cool. I think in certain books that’s also a plus.
Eagle – When I think “complicated” I envision an aircraft pilot’s map with elevations and whatnot. I consider most fantasy maps “uncomplicated” by nature.
Nick – That’s a neat example of the same storyline employing maps at one stage and not at another.
Milo – I couldn’t agree more:)
Steph – It’s true that the lines get redrawn on maps in reality, and an older one gives us a sense of how the characters saw their world.
Stephanie – _A Game of Thrones_ definitely needs it (I’m reading _A Dance with Dragons_ right now).
Krista – Lol:) I actually collect maps from the era of explorations, prints of ones that were actually used by navigators and explorers, i.e. Jefferson-Fry’s map of Virginia and 17th century Caribbean maps.
I think if a story is told well enough, it doesn't (or shouldn't) require a map. I don't find them all that helpful to creating a true image in my head.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alex that maps work best in fantasy. So far I have not used maps, maybe in future I may use them.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely in fantasy. In others, meh. If you need it in a murder mystery for instance then you probably need to work on your description a little.
ReplyDeleteSusan - Well put! Some of my favorite books have maps, but most don't.
ReplyDeleteRachna - Definitely works best in Fantasy...other genres is more debatable.
Sarah - Couldn't agree more:)
I love maps!
ReplyDeleteBut as other commenters mentioned, not every book needs a map.
Anyway maps inspire me to travels beyond the book they are related to.