21st CENTURY LITERATURE FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND THE WORLD

(Module/Reviewer)

WHAT IS POPULAR FICTION?

POPULAR FICTION (pop fiction), also known as genre fiction, refers to literary works that are
meant for the mass media or large audience. Since the purpose of popular fiction is to appeal to
the general public, it has to be written in a way that sells. It is marketed toward the interests of
the public. Pop fiction authors who are serious about being published might have to make sure
that their writing conforms to the guidelines of publishers who develop their guidelines based
on what the general public will buy.

FEATURES OF POPULAR FICTION

 Plot-driven narrative – popular fiction is driven by the simplicity of the narrative’s

sequence of events. Readers want to see a well-defined and interesting plot, with plenty
of complications and conflicts to keep them entertained. The conflicts might be physical
between characters or might involve problems that characters must solve. Characters in
these types of works might be embroiled in verbal fights with one another or might have
a murder mystery that they must solve.
 Stock characters – in literature, this refers to a person with stereotypical characteristics
that readers can easily recognize and relate to.
 Familiar or exotic setting - authors use familiar and/or exotic settings in their works to
show a possibility of escape – exploring the unknown in some of the places that readers
are already familiar with.
 Casual or impersonal language/Readability – since works of pop fiction are meant for
the masses, the language used is casual or close to everyday language in order to
extend its reach to readers with different preferences. Genre/popular fiction is generally
easy to read and understand.

As we all know, a genre refers to a category which describes the style and focus particularly
employed in a certain work of literature. The following are some of the genres of popular fiction.

GENRES OF POPULAR FICTION

Speculative fiction – Speculative fiction is a broad category of fiction encompassing genres

with certain elements that are nonexistent in terms of reality, recorded history, or nature and the
present universe, covering various themes in the context of the supernatural, futuristic, and
many other imaginative topics.
Under this umbrella category, the genres include, but are not limited to: science fiction, fantasy
fiction,  horror/supernatural fiction, superhero
fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate
history.

Science fiction (sci-fi) – a kind of pop fiction that is centered around science and technology.
Often, writers of this genre are occupied by the question of “What if”, suggesting science and
technology’s capability to create possibilities. Common sci-fi tropes include space travel,
futurism, time travel, mad scientists, artificial intelligence, and other science-based concepts.
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton and The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin are just
two popular science fiction novels.

Fantasy - Fantasy, on the other hand, imagines beings and worlds beyond anything recognizable
within our own reality and is often inspired by fairy tales, myths, magic, and legends. Common
tropes include mystical realms, fantastical creatures, and ethereal beings with supernatural
powers. Popular fantasy novels include Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern series and
Suzanne Hamilton’s Hunger Games trilogy.

Chick literature (chick lit) – gaining popularity in the late 1990s, the genre is usually written by
women for women. It features a woman as its main character who faces life struggles and
issues that come with being a woman in modern times. These themes are shown in a humorous
and lighthearted way. Example: Sophie Kinsella’s Confessions of a Shopaholic)

Historical fiction – contemporary trends show interest in this genre which features settings in
the historical past, with colorful tableau of elaborate historical costumes and cultural pieces.

Dystopian - This subgenre imagines a world where things are not going well. James
Dashner’s Maze Runner  books, and The Hunger Games  trilogy by Suzanne Collins. These novels
often deliver a warning about the dire consequences of income inequality, unchecked climate
change, and human rights abuses. 

Post-apocalyptic narratives are set in a world of ruin where a major cataclysm — whether it’s a
pandemic, an ecological disaster, or a zombie apocalypse — has wiped out most of the
population.

Flash fiction is imaginative literature of extreme brevity. It could range from a word to a
thousand (Gacusan, 2018). It is also known as sudden fiction, micro stories, postcard fiction,
nanotales, and short shorts. The successful hallmark of a flash fiction is its twist at the end of
the story. Example: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”
Romance: These novels chart the romantic relationship between two characters (usually),
typically resulting in a happily-ever-after ending. Novels like Laura London’s The Windflower
and Nicholas Sparks’s The Notebook are classics of the genre.

Horror: Writers of horror fiction aim to scare and shock the reader. These works may or may
not employ supernatural elements; psychological horror is often just as frightening. Horror
novels like Stephen King’s It and Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire are popular
mainstays.

Crime: This kind of fiction centers on criminal acts, investigations, and outcomes. Courtroom
thrillers, like John Grisham’s A Time to Kill and Scott Turow’s Presumed Innocent, and
detective novels, like Sue Grafton’s Alphabet Mystery series and Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci
Code, are two subgenres of popular crime fiction.