The Best Seller That’s Nearly Impossible to Finish Reading
James Patterson and MrBeast wrote a book in hopes of reaching young people.
Reading James Patterson's 2008 novel Cross Country was an experience unlike any other. The book lacked descriptive language and featured generic, often unattributed dialogue. Major plot twists were delivered without flair, and chapters ended with trite lines like "Then, suddenly, there were more shots!" The novel felt more like a summary of a story rather than a fully formed work, and it was hilariously bad - the kind of book that ignores basic narrative principles.
Patterson, of course, is one of the most successful authors of all time, having sold over 400 million books. His success likely came from a crucial insight from his advertising days: "Give the people what they want." In this case, it seems many readers wanted stripped-down novels that lacked depth. Patterson has collaborated with a diverse range of high-profile names, including Dolly Parton, Viola Davis, and Bill Clinton, but his latest partnership may be his most unconventional yet: a book with Jimmy Donaldson, the popular YouTube star known as MrBeast.
The two authors aim to attract young readers who prefer binge-watching videos to reading traditional books. Although the book, The Most Dangerous Games, debuted at No. 3 on the New York Times hardcover-fiction best-seller list, it remains to be seen if Patterson and Donaldson have succeeded in captivating Generation iPad. Both authors excel at creating digestible stories, but the question remains whether their collaboration will actually lure kids away from their screens.
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