What makes a story truly exceptional?

[SWriter]

A question which began to spark in my mind when I read a review of a video game I beat(No More Heroes). The story was good no question but I wondered why it would be considered exceptional.

When I think of exceptional writing I think of a comic book called "Lucifer" (by Mike Carey if you know him) but I began to wonder if others would carry the same idea. It breaks down to personal opinion this is true so I'd like to know what works you would consider as such and why.

Another one I would consider as such would be The SoulTaker(Japanese cartoon). Every bit was well done while it did nothing but create suspense by answering the many questions which came up throughout but never quite giving the whole story till the end where you may need some help or at least another viewing to piece it all together.

Last to mention would be Vladamir Nabokov's "Lolita". The premise alone provides much entertainment for such a well written tragedy.

[PeterL]

When I think of exceptional writing, I think of things like Lolita also.Books and stories that are unusual in concept and very well written. Another exceptional novel is Foucault's Pendulum by Eco. H. P. Lovecraft wrote several exceptional short stories, including "The Colour out of Space" and "Horror Over Innsmouth".

[mayneverhave]

I care less for story than style, form, and execution.

I believe James Joyce said "Form is content"

If you think about it, there are only a finite number of stories, with most fitting into classic cliches such as "star-crossed lovers", revenge, disillusionment, etc.

Take Hamlet, for example. Shakespeare did not invent the story of the play, but rather true it from other sources, such as "Ur-Hamlet". The point is, Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is a magnificent play, not necessarily for its story, but its form and execution.

[Tersely]

For me it's all bout the Characters. If I can close that book and daydream about it- it wins my exceptional award.

[ZoeyJuly]

A Story is considered exceptional for the same reason stories are considered 'classics'. because everyone had to read them in high school... Jk because people enjoy them... I know the reasons I enjoy a story are the quintessential-ness (yeah that's not a word) of events and depth of characters...:idea:

[Rav Maji]

Is there a bodily reaction to the story? If yes, then the story is good. If the reaction is syncopated with common, contemporary psychological sequences, somehow following the emotional pathway from uncomfortable to comfortable circumstances (i.e. loss to redemption, confusion to understanding, disordered to ordered, etc.) or similarly represents a popular mindset of conditioned emotional response to somewhat ordinary scenarios often refreshed with a "twist"-which more often than not is just a reminder of the impending normalcy of situation-then I'd say you have a best-seller!;)

[Joreads]

Any books that makes you feel, think or see things differently is a great book to me. These books stay with long after you have finished reading them.

[JBI]

Stories are exceptional because of characterization. Either appealing and revealing our characters by us reading them, or other characters that draw insight on humanity. Language is the medium, and the way a thing is written gives it color/effectiveness.

[Pensive]

Usually a story that gets me in a really contemplative mood.