I was thinking about this the other day.

[karenthology]

Old and Horrible Cliched Tropes That, Done Well, Never Cease to Make Me Happy -- And That My Enjoyment Of May Very Well Get Me Banned From Polite Society Forever:

Amnesia. I know it's so overdone -- but I love it when characters get amnesia, or have their memories wiped, or forget a former life, and I enjoy watching their discoveries as they realize

Comments

[sartorias]

All those--mistaken identity--dragons, all. Love them when I see something fresh or just plain fun. Insightful (like Miles) when I can get it.

[karenthology]

It's harder for me to like dragons, but yeah -- that's one of the reasons Naomi Novik's Temeraire series gives me such a visceral thrill.

[kitryan]

I did a final essay in my Shakespeare class on how Twelfth Night was Shakespeare's best separated-twins and cross-dressing girl play, and that it well should be as he'd practiced it quite a bit with less good results in (presumably) earlier plays. Otherwise, generally, if the cliche is done well enough and not in parody style, I often won't register it as cliched until it's pointed out to me. I also love a good parody- Connie Willis can riff on the screwball comedy until the cows come home (of course, she can write whatever she wants and I'll read it until and after the cows come home)

[karenthology]

It truly is his best! I tried to talk about that in the English class that I taught last year, and the kids seemed to get a kick out of the fact that Shakespeare was actually -- gasp! -- relatable.

And I agree with you on Connie Willis. If I ever meet her I'll be one of those fans who drool and forget everything they're about to say. She's so good!

[rhinemouse]

I *love* amnesia! Especially wildly unrealistic, Hollywood-style amnesia. I excuse this to myself by saying that with that pesky realism out of the way, you can explore questions of truth and identity and what makes you who you are... But mostly, I just like it for the paranoia and crazy antics.

[karenthology]

I agree completely!

[lutraphile]

haha, I love that you cited Redwall! Mossflower is the first thing that came to mind for prequels :)

[karenthology]

Redwall is wonderful. :)

[lookingland]

i'm so guilty of at least three of these.

but i've never minded any trope if the characters and the telling pulled me along ~ even if the ending is thoroughly predictable. i like this stuff like some people like fast-food or restaurant chains: satisfying familiarity.

now, write it bad and i'll gag.

: D

[karenthology]

Don't say 'guilty.' Say that you simply love it! :)