Literary fiction appeals to readers seeking intellectually and emotionally complex stories told through lyrical language and experimental styles. These character-driven novels challenge readers' perspectives through thought-provoking themes and ambiguous endings. While paced leisurely to explore rich settings and fully developed characters, literary fiction maintains a serious tone that can be dark or satirical. Popular authors in this genre include Michael Chabon, Ian McEwan, Toni Morrison, and Haruki Murakami.

1. Literary Fiction
A Genre for the Intellect

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.

3. The Appeal of Literary Fiction

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.

10. Literary Fiction Classics

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

16. More Names to Know

17. Crossover with Fiction Genres

18. Literary Fiction for Nonfiction Readers

19. Trends

20. International Writers

21. In Translation

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