Let me return more seriously to the original question of what makes me comment. There seems to be a number of reasons:
1. Real enthusiasm for the story: When I come across a story I really like, either for its literary quality or for its message (or for both!), I feel a strong urge to let the author know. I'm not always the most perceptive or eloquent of commenters, but I try to find a way to express my enthusiasm, hopefully in a way that pinpoints what is unique about the story.
2. Curiosity: Sometimes there is something I don't quite understand about a story. It may be intentional (as when the author wants to leave the ending open for the readers to ponder) or unintentional, but in such situation I often comment to get a reaction from the author: Is it supposed to be this way or that, or are are we all supposed to decide by ourselves?
3. A detail that deserves mention: Often there is something in a story that strikes my eye: a turn of phrase, a joke, a particularly apt description etc.
4. The behavior of the characters: I'm a naive reader; I like to think of the characters in a story as real people, and I often feel an urge to comment on their behavior, their choices, or their destiny.
5. Author encouragement: I occasionally comment just to encourage the authors (don't tell them!), especially new authors. I may not actually be that enthusiastic about their story, but there is usually something worth a mention.
The only stories I find it hard to comment on, are the ones that I find morally repulsive. I don't mind stories about cruel disciplinarians or outrageous punishments in themselves, but I find it problematic when the author seems to side with the unjust and embrace abuse. |