Do you like/read prologues?

I read averything around a book before I start reading it. prologue, preface, introduction, Appendix, references. chapter notes, notes on the author, study the illustrations.

Only when I have a as much context for a book as possible, do I start to read it.

I sometimes read a prologue, if it's not too long, and it sometimes helps with understanding the story.
I like epilogues and also further info on the historical situation if the book is set around things that really happened eg the Foundling Hospital.

Sarnia

They are there for a purpose. Often they make sense of what you are about to read in the book. I also like a family tree if relevant to a complicated story.

Yes I like a family tree, and even a map.

I'm happy to read a prologue. The thing that irritates me is the trend for pages and pages of Acknowledgements at the end of the book

I read them , then further on the story makes more sense .

They are there for a purpose. Often they make sense of what you are about to read in the book. I also like a family tree if relevant to a complicated story.

I completely agree, chickenlegs (love that ID by the way). I hardly ever read a prologue and even then I prefer to put it off until I've finished the book. I don't see the point of giving readers a potted history of what's gone before, or what to look for, or why the book even exists in the first place. A good author will assume that his/her readers have the capability to think for themselves. I don't often read Epilogues either (same reason). And as for Author's Comments and Q&A sections at the end, puh-LEASE! They're useful if you're teaching people what books are and how to read them - or if you happen to be writing a PhD thesis on the work! But otherwise, wha....?

I do the same. Never read a preface or prologue as don’t want too much information, particularly for a work of fiction.
Often enjoy the intellectual ramblings when I have finished the book.

Sometimes they’re a useful introduction to set the scene. A recent book called the Dubrovnik Book club had a useful one.

I generally just read the blurb, then skim through any introductions to get to Chapter One.