The Bestseller Code: Summary Review
This is a summary review of The Bestseller Code containing key details about the book.
What is The Bestseller Code About?
"The Bestseller Code" by Jodie Archer and Matthew L. Jockers is a book that explores the use of computational techniques to analyze best-selling novels and identify common traits and themes.
In The Bestseller Code, shares that not only can mega-hits be explained and identified - but they've built the algorithm to prove it. Using cutting-edge text-mining techniques on 20,000 novels, they have developed a model that analyses theme, plot, style and character and present a fascinating new take on how and why successful fiction works.
Summary Points & Takeaways from The Bestseller Code
Some key summary points and takeaways from the book include:
* The Power of Computational Analysis: The book demonstrates the potential of computational techniques to analyze large data sets and uncover patterns and trends that would be difficult to identify through traditional methods.
* The Importance of Characterization: The authors argue that characterization is a key factor in the success of a novel, and that readers are more likely to connect with characters who are well-developed and relatable.
* The Role of Emotion: The book highlights the importance of emotional engagement in best-selling novels, and argues that stories that evoke strong emotions are more likely to be successful.
* The Importance of Conflict: The authors argue that conflict is a key component of successful novels, and that stories that have a clear and compelling conflict are more likely to be successful.
* The Influence of Setting: The book discusses the impact that setting can have on a novel, and argues that stories set in well-defined and believable worlds are more likely to be successful.
* The Predictive Power of Computational Analysis: The authors demonstrate the potential of computational analysis to predict the success of a novel, and argue that these techniques can provide valuable insights for publishers and literary agents.
* The book offers a unique perspective on the elements that make a novel successful, and provides insights into the potential of computational analysis to understand the factors that influence success in the publishing industry.
Who is the author of The Bestseller Code?
Jodie Archer bought and edited books for Penguin UK before she decamped for the doctoral program in English at Stanford University. After her PhD, she worked at Apple as their research lead on literature.
Matthew L. Jockers was the co-founder of Stanford University's Literary Lab in Silicon Valley. His digital humanities work has been profiled in The New York Times, the LA Review of Books and more.
Book details
- Print length: 256 pages
- Genre: Nonfiction, Writing, Books about Books
What are the chapters in The Bestseller Code?
Chapter 1 The Bestseller-ometer, or, How Text Mining Might Change Publishing
Chapter 2 The Godparents, or, Why You Must Take Time to Date The Lists: Theme
Chapter 3 The Sensations, or, How to Form Some Perfect Curves The Lists: Plot
Chapter 4 The Debutantes, or, Why Every Comma Matters The Lists: Style
Chapter 5 The Noirs, or, What the Girl Needs The Lists: Character
Chapter 6 The One, or, When the Algorithm Winked The Lists: All Data Points
* The editor of this summary review made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any published quotes, chapters, or takeaways. If you're interested in furthering your personal development, I invite you to check out my list of favorite personal development books page. On this page, you'll find a curated list of books that have personally impacted my life, each with a summary and key lessons.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
