I have waded into this discussion very late. ‘Easy reading’ has, I think, been subject to so many different definitions, interpretations and generalisations, so as to make the term virtually meaningless. However, the fact that it is commonly stacked up against the term ‘literary fiction’, says more to me about the needs of some of the literati to justify the substance of many literary works whose plots are complex, convoluted and hard work, where the characters’ journeys on the uglier extremes of life are torturous and disturbing; where the reading and the interpretation of such works is seen as a badge of honour for those hardy souls who have suffered through it and come out the other end with theories on meaning and nuance, whether the author intended them or not.
It wasn’t all that long ago that all fiction – ‘novels’ – were generally considered a lower class of writing to works of non-fiction, to be indulged in mostly by silly women with too much time on their hands. All types of fiction will have their detractors; it doesn’t mean they are unworthy.
Easy reading, I think, has nothing to do with the quality of a work, because we all know that these works can and do bring the reader into rich worlds with multidimensional characters and plots, in beautifully chosen language. I think the term should be used to describe a reader’s reaction to a book, that is, it’s page-turning ability. If you love the world the author has created, if you love the characters and their story, then it is an easy read for you. With all respect to the literary giant, Margaret Atwood, I don’t think I’ve ever read one of her books where I couldn’t wait to find out what happens next.
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mmmag
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Date: 2011-01-30 05:23 am (UTC)It wasn’t all that long ago that all fiction – ‘novels’ – were generally considered a lower class of writing to works of non-fiction, to be indulged in mostly by silly women with too much time on their hands. All types of fiction will have their detractors; it doesn’t mean they are unworthy.
Easy reading, I think, has nothing to do with the quality of a work, because we all know that these works can and do bring the reader into rich worlds with multidimensional characters and plots, in beautifully chosen language. I think the term should be used to describe a reader’s reaction to a book, that is, it’s page-turning ability. If you love the world the author has created, if you love the characters and their story, then it is an easy read for you. With all respect to the literary giant, Margaret Atwood, I don’t think I’ve ever read one of her books where I couldn’t wait to find out what happens next.
Phyllis