This Hop's Question:
What books have you read that have been hyped as literary and, in your opinion, were not?
I can't think of any books that I've read where I've been sold 'literary' but haven't actually got it (though I'm sure they exist). It's not normal for a book to be marketed as literary when it isn't -- for one thing, that's a very short term strategy. The (few) people who buy because of literary hype will soon find out. Secondly, LITERARY is not a big mover. Prize-winning literary, yes, but on it's own the L-word scares off many more than it brings in.
What I can think of, though, are books not marketed or talked about as literary but which have, once innocently opened, great literary qualities. Further evidence for my brand new theory (that I already disagree with, if only out of habit) that literaryism is a turn-off, and should be smuggled in without the reader at first -- or ideally, ever -- realising.
I was going to agree with you wholeheartedly about literary not being a term that will attract many people to a book, but...
ReplyDeleteHere in the Netherlands, we have a country full of literary snobs (well, at least half a country, the rest read Harlequins). To be certain that a mystery or thriller is of a certain standard we have a new genre here: literary thriller. I kid you not. People can now be assured of a good read and do not have to plough through the inferior stuff to find out if it's at their level.
I think it's really silly. But there you go. Actually, a lot of the "literary thrillers" are just fun thrillers, but literary?
Well... A lot of books are published under the genre "literary fiction" but wear completely other guises once you peel off the marketing ploys. I have noticed in recent years the trend to slap that label (whatever it means... shouldn't if a book is literary be determined by the readers, not the publishers...?) on books that have little true literary merit is growing. Or sometimes it replaces the actual genre (sci-fi, mystery, thriller, etc.). Does that count?
ReplyDeleteso many people are scared of the perception of a "LITERARY book" that they won't even countenance the idea of reading it, which is a shame, so as a marketing device it's a bit hit & miss.
ReplyDelete