I find that, these days many people think- a prologue is annoying, but I surprisingly like them a lot. So here's the question, among two equally interesting books, which would you read, A- one with a prologue, one without a prologue? What do you think is the limit of words a prologue should have, and over which you wouldn't want it to be? And a honest personal opinion on prologue's themselves would be appreciated.
Going by the books I've read, prologues are generally used as a bit of a cheat or tease. They often depict a little action scene - rather like the pre-opening credits of a James Bond movie, which does not necessarily have any relevance to the rest of the book. In short, its a hook to get the reader interested, before they have to read 2 boring opening chapters before getting to the real meat of the story.
As to your question of which book I'd read, if they were interesting, I'd have no problem reading both.