Posted by Robert Hill on December 19, 2000 at 13:48:31 from 129.11.159.161:
In Reply to: Re: Coincidences posted by Robert Dilley on December 18, 2000 at 21:31:58:
It is hard for fiction to have a strong plot without some reliance on
coincidences. Some modern writers have tried to eschew coincidences
but readers who are used to conventional plots tend to find their
books boring and pointless.
The level of coincidence acceptable to readers varies with time and
place. Many 19th century novels rely on coincidences that seem
unduly far-fetched to today's readers - e.g. lost/exhausted/starving
hero(ine) blunders into house which just happens to be the home of his
or her long-lost rich relatives.