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I Don't Need to Relate
I don't read that much new literary fiction. I have nothing against it, but my interests are really in contemporary genre writing (mysteries, thrillers and the odd book about the fantastic), novels from the 18th through the early half of the 20th century and certain areas of non-fiction. (Right now I'm reading a fascinating book about walking called Wanderlust by Rebecca Solnit which is having a powerful effect on the way I'm seeing the City as I hoof my way through it.)
This weekend, the New York Times's Style section ran a piece about the "mom lit" phenomenon, in which the "chick lit" single-gal-in-the-city-with-friends-and-credit-cards-looking-for-love themes get shifted to an additional (cash) register- I say "additional" because as I understand it, there is no shortage still of discussions about fabulous shoes and handbags, and this will surely be complemented by some sharp stroller and nursery decor chatter.
I don't really know, of course, since I haven't read much chick lit, and the only mom lit book I can claim to have read is the novel my father gave me, The Bad Mother's Handbook.
And I'm not interested in this new genre. I should be, perhaps, but I just find this business rather annoying. What I DO find interesting is the fact that these books are being produced at a volume high enough to rate a big piece in the Times's Sunday Styles section (why not Books?). I don't necessarily want to have anything to do with the characters in the books I read. It isn't necessary for me to "share" their problems and interests for me to be entertained and amused. I know what a pain in the ass it is to shovel food into a toddler and I'd much rather read about a woman investigating a cult that steals dreams, or sinister adventuresses out for themselves, happy to marry or murder their way to financial comfort.
Am I odd in this? Do people really prefer stories that model their own, with better accessories?
If so, why?
And if not, why do people cynically think that mothers are so easy?
posted by Elise at 6:55 AM
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Laura K said...
I think that basically any new form of...er...literature goes through a "burst" phase. Chick Lit's is over. At the recent conference I went to, all the agents said that when you write the genre "Chick Lit" in a query letter, that's two of the three strikes you need to be "out" right there. It can't be sold to publishers because the phase is over. (You can sell Chick Lit disguised as a mystery for the moment, but since that stuff is still promoted as Chick Lit for the most part, I suspect it won't last.)
The other phase that was everywhere in genre lit and is mostly through its burst is paranormal. That is, vampires investigating murders, werewolves falling in love with humans, stuff like that. The horror genre is one thing, but these things had an alarming rise in other genres. The agents said if you have one right now, go ahead and promote it. If you don't, though, don't write one because in a year the phase will be over.
Chick Lit seems to have spawned a new genre of "Diva Lit" which is, essentially, Chick Lit for the over 30, sometimes over 40 set. Women on their own after divorces, deaths, even the occasion just plain single woman. I wasn't aware of "Mom Lit", but it doesn't surprise me.
As to why in the Style section, well that makes perfect sense. If Mom Lit is anything like Chick Lit, it's long on style and short on substance. (And that's not necessarily a criticism. Just like Chick Flicks, Chick Lit has its place...just not in the quantity it's currently produced in.)
12/17/2006 1:24 PM
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Laura K said...