Literary?

[Project nachonaco]

What is Literary Fiction?

[Siddow]

Literature n. written works, especially those whose value lies in beauty of language or emotional effect.

[blackbird]

Look at the canon for most any academic MFA Creative Writing program, or even what is included in most college literature textbooks. This is the kind of work that is generally classified as "literary fiction."

To sum it up succintly, literary fiction is concerned with what is generally referred to as "The Human Condition." Stories tend to be character-driven (rather than plot-driven) and in most cases revolve aroud some sort of epiphany for the MC that will shed some light on the larger "human condition" overall (I love that phrase--The Human Condition-- though if an especially bright student pinned me down and said, "Yes, but excatly what does that mean?" I might be hard pressed to answer). :tongue

Usually, the term "literary fiction" is used to differentiate from "commercial fiction," which is slicker and more plot-driven fiction. Thrilles and mysteries, for example, would fall in this category. Literary fiction tends to be much more concerned with the ambiguity of human nature than "what happens next." Fiction that focuses on relationships, or on a protagonist who is seeking something beyond his/her present circumstances, is "literary." Fiction that is in some way making a social statement is "literary."

But the easiest way to break it down is to look at a few actual examples:

Literay Fiction:
Michael Cunnigham, The Hours
Toni Morrison, Beloved

Non-literary fiction:
John Grisham, The Pelican Brief
Jackie Collins, Hollywood Wives

In academic circles there is a definite bias against non-literary fiction, and even if you look at something like the annual "Best American Short Stories" you'll find that all of the selctions are culled from highbrow literary magazines. But literary fiction isn't necessarily "better" than non-literary; it is simply literature that adheres to a different definition and a different set of standards from commercial fiction.

[Mayor of Moronia]

Recently I read a quote about literary fiction. In a nutshell: Today's classics were yesterday's popular (non-literary) fiction.

[Summonere]

We have no real standards to distinguish a verbal structure that is literary from one that is not, and no idea what to do with the vast penumbra of books that may be claimed for literature because they are written with “style,” or are useful as “background,” or have simply got into a university course of “great books.”

--Northrop Frye, Anatomy of Criticism

Another popular answer to the "What is literary?" qestion has been this one: It's whatever a majority of critics says it is.

Meanwhile, I once-upon-a-time offered a condensed version of an answer to this question over here, which may or may not prove useful and enlightening:

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?p=216785#post216785

[Crusader]

[set mode: example]

The faraway blond in my crosshairs wore his pensiveness with the care usually reserved for a tailored suit. Not a single wrinkle skewed upon his brow.

And despite half a life spent training successfully for instants like this, just half a second sufficed for those lessons to fail. I couldn't help but detest the cynical calculus beneath his casual artifice... detest it with ire enough to induce a rare, faint waver in the 'hairs. At once this morbid errand felt like a donation to the hapless, my .30 calibre shot of enlightenment locked and loaded for a mind in dire need of opening.

The notion was timely in its effect, for soon the steadiness eased back into my scope and the tiny picture of a man within. Indeed his affect became oddly apt, through tracing upon my memory a few lines roughly similar to the silhouette of any another condemned soul. There he sat, a convict, head bowed in contemplation of a fate soon to come; the imported leather sofa was his cot, the tastefully decorated room quite ironic as a cell.

Restless from all its inaction, my finger now began an argument with the trigger. Aloof beyond the tension in their debate, my mind once again became the remote, indifferent observer it had been taught to become.

As such, my emotions distilled to nothing whatsoever when, unsurprisingly, my finger won.

* * *

[reset mode]

Jack braced the rifle's bipod on the windowsill. He cradled the piece close and looked through its scope. The image showed Sergei, brooding on a couch. Jack took a moment to steady down, then squeezed the trigger. Sergei's head exploded.

[/example]

[Bufty]

Something most folk don't deliberately set out to write, Nach.

What is Literary Fiction?

[maestrowork]

Recently I read a quote about literary fiction. In a nutshell: Today's classics were yesterday's popular (non-literary) fiction.

That's literature. Or at least the old definition of "literary classics." But modern-day "lit fic" means something different. What exactly do editors mean when they ask for "lit fic"? The best answer is to look at what they publish.

[Linda Adams]

Miss Snark has this up about literary fiction: http://misssnark.blogspot.com/2006/03/literary-couture.html

I think literary fiction is like art. It's made for discussion and deep thought. Miss Snark's description made me think of people standing around a painting discussing what the artist meant by the painting, why he chose that particular color, the juxposition of these two elements, etc. I've been critting a literary mystery in the last few weeks, and it is like art. I could see people talking about the language, the mood, the themes, what does it mean--just reveling in the story.

But in my bookstore, it's a catchall for anything that doesn't cleanly fit into any of the genres. I've found Ann Rice, historical novels, chicklit, classics, etc. there.

[Glynn]

This is late in this thread, but I have been puzzled over the whole notion of genre. Although I have been a voracious reader all my life, I don't have a "literary" background or education and sometimes get spooked by a lot of the "inspeak" and "genre jargon" among professional and long-time writers. In particular, I am confused about how to classify my two novels. If I just describe the plots, they could conceivably fit in several genres, but are not a real fit in any except "literary" since they are character and idea driven and not formulaic enough for a standard genre. I think their not fitting into a "genre" is one reason I get so many "good story, but not for me" responses from inquiries to agents, even the ones who actually ask for sample chapters. My problem is, is it too presumptious to say your book is "literary" when that's the best genre fit?

And how do I go about saying my book is literary and not a "genre" fit, without appearing to be pompous, especially when it seems agents/publishers are only looking for "genre." I know I'll get poo-pooed on for saying so, but I think my only route is to self-publish (small presses and a lot of big ones don't do much promotion for you anyway) and endure the disdain, contempt (sure that's redundant, but WTH), and general abuse for ending up at an "author mill."

I really don't think it's because my writing is below par or my manuscripts are not up to snuff--I've had too many affirmations from readers to think so although that would likely be the first thing some of you may think when you read this. Sometimes I think maybe I ought to take up flower arranging, except that I really do like writing and enjoy spending time with my characters in their world.

Sorry to be so long winded.

[Lifelongdagger]

How about posting one or two pieces on the Share Your Work literary forum, Glynn. I'd be interested to read what you have written.

Best wishes and kind regards,

Lifelongdagger

[Jamesaritchie]

This is late in this thread, but I have been puzzled over the whole notion of genre. Although I have been a voracious reader all my life, I don't have a "literary" background or education and sometimes get spooked by a lot of the "inspeak" and "genre jargon" among professional and long-time writers. In particular, I am confused about how to classify my two novels. If I just describe the plots, they could conceivably fit in several genres, but are not a real fit in any except "literary" since they are character and idea driven and not formulaic enough for a standard genre. I think their not fitting into a "genre" is one reason I get so many "good story, but not for me" responses from inquiries to agents, even the ones who actually ask for sample chapters. My problem is, is it too presumptious to say your book is "literary" when that's the best genre fit?

And how do I go about saying my book is literary and not a "genre" fit, without appearing to be pompous, especially when it seems agents/publishers are only looking for "genre." I know I'll get poo-pooed on for saying so, but I think my only route is to self-publish (small presses and a lot of big ones don't do much promotion for you anyway) and endure the disdain, contempt (sure that's redundant, but WTH), and general abuse for ending up at an "author mill."

I really don't think it's because my writing is below par or my manuscripts are not up to snuff--I've had too many affirmations from readers to think so although that would likely be the first thing some of you may think when you read this. Sometimes I think maybe I ought to take up flower arranging, except that I really do like writing and enjoy spending time with my characters in their world.

Sorry to be so long winded.

There are many literary writers out there. Each one has a publisher and an agent.

If it's too presumptous to say your novel is a literary novel, then it isn't a literary novel. Literay is just another genre, and they're published by small publisher, medium size publishers, and large publishers. The books are represent by agents, some very good agents, and such writers do fine.

Don't shoot yourself in the head before you actually try to find an agent and a publisher. Literary writers find agent and publishers every day, if what they write is good enough.

[Jamesaritchie]

"Literary" and "Literature" have different meanings today. A great novel from any genre can become great literature, but literary is a type. It isn't difficultt to find literary writers, and you should read them.

My favorite definition of literary writing is "Realistic, ordinary people facing realistic, ordinary problems." I think this sums it up nicely.

[Glynn]

There are many literary writers out there. Each one has a publisher and an agent.

Don't shoot yourself in the head before you actually try to find an agent and a publisher. Literary writers find agent and publishers every day, if what they write is good enough.

I guess I just haven't had any luck finding either the agents or the publishers. Any suggestions?

[Glynn]

How about posting one or two pieces on the Share Your Work literary forum, Glynn. I'd be interested to read what you have written.

Best wishes and kind regards,

Lifelongdagger
I will if I can find it. I'm still learning how to navigate around the Absolute Write site. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Glynn]

....And thanks to everyone who responded to my question.

[rwam]

Hmmm, after reading some of the above comments about 'the human condition', 'ephiphany' and 'character driven', I now have to wonder if my novel is not commercial fiction but, instead, literary fiction. My problem with this is I've always been under the presumption that literary fiction is filled with flowery speech, but my work is just a hunk-a-junk-a-plain-language where I focus on mood & establishing a bond between the reader and my narrator. Is there some kind of litmus test one can use to determine if he's literary or commercial?

[CaroGirl]

Sure. Send it to literary agents and publishers and see what response you get.

[Sesselja]

There is one test that will tell you if you are commercial: sales. If you are selling, you are commercial. That's it.

As for literary fiction, you could probably do worse than reading a few literary books. Pick up a book by Camus or by Hemmingway. It would help dispel the myth about "flowery speech".