Why Literary Fiction Frustrates Me (But I Keep Coming Back)

Award-winning novels leave me exhausted—preachy, pretentious, and predictable. Yet, I still chase the one that will change my mind. Maybe this is the curse of a reader.

Of course, the kid dies at the end…

Ugh

Earlier today, I finished reading a literary fiction title that won a couple of major awards and was a finalist for others. As I closed the book, I was left with the same feeling as I am when I’ve finished other titles which have won the Pulitzer, the National Book Award, and other accolades.

I don’t like literary fiction.

I should start with a couple of disclaimers. Art is art is art. One of the reasons I’m not going to name the novel is that my opinion is only my own, and I know the work, the effort, and the will it takes to take on a novel. Also, just because I am not a fan of this genre doesn’t mean others won’t connect to it.

My issues with literary fiction, or at least the last few I’ve read:

• They’re preachy. It’s one thing to have a message and explore the point of view in a provocative way that helps one think in a new way. Yet, I am frustrated when a novel uses its story to take a sledgehammer and beat the reader with its point of view and demands adoption.

• They’re cliche. Like the novel I recently finished, the story centers around characters whose flaws are not their fault but a result of their circumstances. They are so “real” that they aren’t at all. The tension is built through further despair until finally, there is a tragic event that is supposed to make us think.

• They’re pretentious. It’s like these novels are aiming for the award circuit. Whether Webster is paying them for using obscure words or using so many metaphors and similes, it’s like (see what I did there?), they want the reviews to be amazed by the language. When I’m in the midst of these, I long for Elmore Leonard, Stephen King, or even Agatha Christie, who do more with less.

• They’re too stylized. Have you ever read a book with no quotations, periods, uppercase letters, or paragraphs? Perhaps, a whole page is one sentence? When I come across these books, I roll my eyes. To me, these stylized quirks don’t add to the story. They are there to showcase the author’s cleverness. They say they’re subverting the established rules. I think they’re annoying.

You may be saying to yourself, “Then don’t read lit fic, dumbass.” And yes, I’m currently reading THE GUNCLE to cleanse my palate. But sometimes, literary fiction is excellent. Sometimes, the author transcends my issues with the genre, and my perspective changes. Unfortunately, for every transcendent lit fic, I read five bores. I am chasing the excellent stuff, and unfortunately, I am often disappointed with the misses.

Another question you may ask is, “OK, cranky pants, what have you read recently that you liked?”

I like some genre fiction, such as crime, cozy mysteries, intrigue, and thriller, but my favorite is Contemporary Fiction. In my opinion, Contemporary Fiction is light Literary Fiction, like a Cozy Mystery is to Crime Fiction. I enjoy typical human stories and how the characters navigate their lives when some tension comes their way. Contemporary fiction is my preferred genre. I’d love to write like Nick Hornby, Fredrick Backman, or Tom Perrotta.

Some recent reads include:

The Guncle, Steven Rowley. I am currently reading this book. After the book I mentioned above, this was a perfect salve. Funny. Light but Poignant. Relatable. From the first few pages, I am hooked, ready to devour this novel like I’ve been on a salad diet for a week.

Carrie Soto is Back, Taylor Jenkins Reid. This is my genre. Reid has been a favorite. From Malibu Rising to Daisy Jones and the Six, I love how she writes the dynamics of human relationships. Each character has room to breathe, and the story provides the backdrop for them to expand and grow these dynamics.

Travels with Charlie in Search of America, John Steinbeck. Recently, I took a road trip with my son, and decided to take the legend’s travel memoir. It’s been decades since I’ve read it, and I still enjoyed it. I do take issue with the plotting of the memoir. He spends three quarters of the memoir on his trip West, but only touches the return trip, which includes relevant stops in the South amid the Civil Rights Movement. He focuses so little on his revealing conversations that I wanted more.

Razor Girl, Carl Hiaasen. I read this sequel after watching Bad Monkey, starring Vince Vaughn, based on the book on Apple TV+. It was refreshing to see that Vince Vaughn is perfectly cast as Andrew Yancey, police detective-turned-health inspector. Hiassen’s story, characters, and writing are similar to Elmore Leonard's.

The Night We Lost Him, Laura Dave. As a Californian who has visited many of Dave’s settings, I always enjoy reading her books. There is a sense of place (Montecito and Santa Barbara for this book). I think the novel loses momentum each time it shifts to New York, but overall, it is a good domestic mystery.

Camino Ghosts, John Grisham. I had 12 hours of driving to do in a weekend. I needed an easy audio read to keep me company and on the road, driving straight. I had read Camino Island and Camino Winds, and it was like visiting some fun acquaintances you’ve made over the years. Sometimes preachy, sometimes eye-rolling (especially about the publishing industry), but Camino Ghosts served its purpose.

What do you think of Literary Fiction? Is there a genre you don’t like but keep returning to? Is there a work of literary fiction you’d think I’d like?

Side of Mustard

Streaming Recommendations:

The Studio, Apple TV+. Creative. Many times, cringy. Funny. And a send-up of Hollywood. Think Entourage, The Player, Curb Your Enhusiasm, and any sendup of the movie industry done with the sensibility of Seth Rogan. The direct references to Entourage, Swingers, Martin Scorcese, and more make it an entertaining watch.

Hacks, HBO Max. In its fourth season, Hacks takes on late night television. Similar to The Studio, there are multiple cameos as Donna Vance navigates her first season as late-night show host. The relationship dynamic between Vance and Evie are sometimes hard to watch, but it makes you root for them to patch things up.

Invincible, Prime. This is a guilty pleasure I watch with my grown son. At first, it’s nostalgic for the Hanna Barbera Superfriends cartoons of the 80s. But then, there are exploding heads, entrails, death, and blood (so much blood) and it’s not the same. I can smirk at the violence because my son and I are in on the joke. But it’s still unsettling.

Daredevil, Disney+. I’m ok with cartoon gore violence, but when it gets put into live action, I cringe. When Daredevil was on Netflix, it leaned into realistic violence, and I watched one season. Same with The Boys on Prime. Now with the reboot of Daredevill Reborn on Disney+ I thought i’d give it another shot. I was fine until one scene the season finale. I may skip subsequent seasons.

Four Seasons, Netflix. On a lighter note, Tina Fey recreates the 80s Alan Alda film with an eight-part series on Netflix. (Side note: I don’t understand why they didn’t make four hour-long episodes, instead of eight half-hours). With a cast that includes Fey, Steve Carrell, and Will Forte, hopes were high and they met expectations.