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2.
Intellect Appeal:
Literary Fiction, Mysteries, Psychological Suspense,
Science Fiction
• Complex puzzles, ideas, and relationships
challenge a reader intellectually.
• Provocative issues and positions force readers
to consider carefully, to view the world
differently.
• The compelling pace that drives these novels
is sometimes more leisurely and sometimes
adrenaline-fueled.
• Tone is often unsettling.
4.
Style/Language
Critically acclaimed,
often award-winning
Lyrical language—
language matters here
Often experimental style
5.
Characterizations
In-depth and
introspective character-
centered novels
Protagonists not always
sympathetic
Even secondary
characters are fully
developed
6.
Story Line
Character-centered,
complex, multi-layered,
and provocative
Wrestle with universal
dilemmas and serious
social issues
Frequently open ended
or with ambiguous
endings
Short story collections
7.
Pacing
Leisurely paced. Densely
written stories unfold at a
stately pace.
Complex characters and
story lines plus
imaginative language and
style can slow reading
pace.
Generally more
description than dialog.
8.
Tone/Mood
Dark, gritty tone may
reflect seriousness of
issues
Humor also abounds—
light or satirical.
9.
Frame/Setting
Richly descriptive stories
lend themselves to
elaborate backgrounds.
Many writers create a
strong sense of time
and/or place that frames
the novel.
11.
Michael Chabon
• Genre-blender with
elements of Fantasy,
Adventure, Mystery, SF,
and more
• Complex characters
• Layered stories
• Humorous, elegant style
• Fiction and nonfiction,
also for teens and
children
12.
Ian McEwan
• Elegantly lyrical style
• Character-centered
• Psychological, often
dark tone
• Unsettling
• Book discussion favorite
13.
Toni Morrison
• Nobel prize winner,
Oprah author
• African-American
women, past and
present
• Universal stories
• Serious issues
• Lyrical prose
14.
Haruki Murakami
• Mundane and surreal
blended in characters
and story lines
• Serious issues and
humor
• Spare, lyrical prose
• Dreamy mood and
haunting atmosphere
15.
Zadie Smith
• Entertaining and
thought-provoking
fiction and non-fiction
• Lyrical, witty prose
• Vivid characterizations
• Humorous, often
satirical prose
• Complex, sprawling
story lines
22.
Trends
Classics—re-issued,
especially in audio
and as graphic novels
Popularized on the big
and small
screens
23.
Trends
• Classics adapted and
retold, sequels and
prequels
24.
Trends
• Source of book
discussion titles—from
the Literary Fiction
genre and the literary
ends of other genres
25.
Resources
• The New York Times Book Review (historical
available on NYT.com)
• Indiebound (an online community of
independent booksellers)
• Any “Best Fiction” list from major newspapers,
Amazon.com or BN.com
• Early Word keeps track of best lists in the right
gutter.
• New Yorker magazine for up-and-coming Literary
Fiction (and Nonfiction) authors
26.
Awards
• Rusa’s Notable Books
• Carnegie Medal
• Nobel Prize
• Pulitzer Prize
• National Book Award
• National Book Critics Circle Award
• Man Booker Prize
27.
Literary Fiction Readers
• Follow awards
• Read all books by authors they appreciate
• Are adventurous, willing to try others that
offer similar appeal elements: character-
centered, provocative books, written in the
complex style they enjoy
• May read literary end of genres but may not
like to think of themselves as genre readers
Editor's Notes
Generally speaking characters and ideas are more important than action and tone. Readers take pleasure in fact that these make them think—whether to solve a mystery or look at a social or ethical issue.
Not much happens here—more about character and style
Not much happens here—more about character and style