A Goodreads user
A Goodreads user asked Margaret Atwood:

How would you describe your " genre"?I struggle in stating a genre for my own first novel, and by searching I realise I do not know what genre your books, or my other favourite Salman Rushdie's books are. I read most of your and his novels. My two most favourite books of yours are " Cat's Eye" , " Blind Assassin" and " Penelopiad" What genre are they in your opinion? Lucie

Margaret Atwood Hello: Nobody talked much about "genres" until maybe 15-20 years ago. Primarily the term is useful for: 1) Helping bookstores arrange books on shelves and b) Allowing people to sneer at certain kinds of books, and/or claim a section of literary turf for themselves in order to restrict the clubhouse.

It doesn't REALLY matter what "genre" your book is. What matters is that it's a good book of its kind. Whatever that kind may be. I am too old to have ever been very worried about what "genre" any given book of mine might be. I read everything. But then, I am easily amused.
Margaret Atwood
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