Genre Fiction: The Great Debate

"I'd rather see shops just shelving books alphabetically by author"
I totally disagree. If I am looking for a scifi book, I do not want to mess around with anything else. Likewise with mystery.
If an author wants to transend a genre, there are ways they can. But I would say most do not want to. They want to make a living.
That said when I am looking for a genre book, I do not expect it to be great literature. Not that it is not there, it is that I am not looking for it and do not expect it. That is not why I read mysteries and scifi. When I want to read what I would call literature, I will go looking for it.
Actually there are only a few separate genre sections in most bookstores. The general fiction could easily be broken down into other genres.

cgw said:

Actually there are only a few separate genre sections in most bookstores. The general fiction could easily be broken down into other genres.

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I also think this is the case. You find a lot of literary fiction in the general fiction section but you'll also find genres that aren't normally separated out, like historical fiction, and even authors like Nora Roberts who write romantic suspense novels but are also bestselling authors. I've heard arguments saying that there should be even MORE subdivision in libraries and bookstores for this reason.

I agree with all who argue for bookstores just sticking 'em all in Fiction, A-Z. (Individual genres would still of course be easily identifiable from their cover design, be it silvery spaceships or stark lettering on a black background.) But I say that as someone who never ever chooses a novel based on subject matter, being a firm believer (as you may know) that a book is about more than its setting.

I'm not sure there's a greater percentage of crap in genre fiction than in mainstream fiction - there's a lot everywhere - but I think genre writing limits the writer as well as the reader. If a writer sits down to start a new book and thinks, I'm going to write a crime novel, or I'm going to write a fantasy epic, that immediately imposes a whole set of restrictions and limitations. Maybe it's easier to work that way, or maybe they have an eye on the market rather than the book. Why not just sit down to start a new book and think, I'm going to write a ... a novel!

If you're going to stick with the current system though, it's certainly true that there's scope for further subdivision. In the UK, for example, I don't ever see thrillers sectioned off: yer Clancys or Cusslers or Ludlums. Again though the further subdivision would just limit the choices of people who aren't necessarily confident about branching out of their own preferred genre, and who don't know what joys might await them outside the strictures of genre! Maybe that's nannyish but dammit, I just want people to experience new things! (Like I did when I tried some Stephen King )

As for genre films, I think they are equally frowned upon, at least by me. Action thrillers, rom-coms, creature features I would all generally avoid. There'll be a little good stuff in there of course but that'll float up and make itself known.

So, young and yet so cynical! How is it possible to overglorify a moth hunt? I would have thought that glorifying it would be difficult enough!!
Suspend disbelief, see the moth and other characters as allegorical and other literary cliches. I agree that it would make a good film though!

Stewart said:

Since I found the book to be so dull I think it would be better as a film; if you're into overglorified moth hunts.

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I've posted all I'm going to say on Perdido Street Station in the SciFi forum.

Sorry!

I could have sworn I responded to a post of yours in this forum! Sorry if I made a mistake!

Stewart said:

I've posted all I'm going to say on Perdido Street Station in the SciFi forum.

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lindaj07 said:

I could have sworn I responded to a post of yours in this forum! Sorry if I made a mistake!

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It was to Midaq Alley in your introduction thread.

no, it was Perdido Street... on this one

This is the quote...

Stewart said:

Since I found the book to be so dull I think it would be better as a film; if you're into overglorified moth hunts.

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