Trilogy: Is Three the Magic Number?   9 comments

I’m sure as you read the title for this post you found some pretty famous trilogies popping into your head; perhaps it was Lord of the Rings by J R R Tolkien, His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Millennium by Stieg Larson. And that is to name just a few of many!

As my title suggests, recently my little bookworm brain has been pondering what we love so much about trilogies? Personally I have read and enjoyed Lord of the Rings, His Dark Materials, and Millennium….with The Hunger Games on my TBR shelf.

There is something comforting about reading a trilogy and I think it might be the structure, the three books almost represent the classic story lay out; beginning, middle, and end. I always feel confident that I will get a in-depth look into the story of one or more characters with enough time to become attached to them. I love longer series of books, but to keep my attention across more than three books I really have to love the main character/s or central concept, as a long series involves making a commitment.

So is three the magic number? What do you think? It can’t be coincidence that so many trilogies are so popular. Do you have a favourite trilogy? Any recommendations?

9 responses to Trilogy: Is Three the Magic Number?

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  1. Pingback: Review Copy: Happy Birthday To You – Brian Rowe « The Bookworm Chronicles

  2. I’ve heard that there’s some kind of parallel in the structure of a trilogy and in TV sitcoms. Not sure of the details though…

  3. Beginning, middle and end ;-)

  4. I kind of haven’t read any of these, but I do think trilogies are the new sequels! :)

    • None of them? I would say Lord of the Rings is a must-read. I also think you might appreciate the Millennium trilogy as you read a lot of translated work. I’m about to start reading The Hunger Games trilogy so you’ll be able to check out my reviews and see if you like the sound of them too.

  5. Three does seem to be the magic number, although many times I wish an author would have kept going with a series!

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