As areader for an international novel-writing competition, I sometimes come across entries which are described by their authors as literary fiction. What am I meant to understand by the term literary fiction? That this particular kind of fiction is important, significant, and is therefore worthy of my serious consideration? That it will enlighten and educate rather than merely entertain me? That this particular entry is not going to be an escapist, relaxing, easy read? That it won’t end with an improbable, convenient happy-ever-after? A glance at Amazon’s UK website reveals that these days almost any kind of novel can be categorised as– and the general consensus seems to be that whereas popular and/or genre fiction is likely to be plot-driven, literary fiction is almost certainly going to be character-led. Well, I’ve read plenty of so-called literary fiction that features brilliant plotting, and plenty of so-called genre fiction that’s clearly character-led. The appeal of much series fiction, especially in the hugely popular genres of crime, saga and mystery, must surely be down to the fact that its fans can always be confident they’re going to meet their favourite characters in future volumes: that they will be able to watch these people develop and find out what happens to them next?
