Blurring the lines

[Michele]

Wow...this discussion seems to be about at least 3 different things at once.

I'm going to ignore the bible thing for now.

Regarding "The Magicians" and satire: I'm undecided on whether or not I feel that "The Magicians" is satire. Perhaps in the overall scheme of things, but I think satire seems more like making fun of something. And while I agree that "honk honk honk!" is funny, I don't get the feeling that (view spoiler)[the author is entirely making fun of those who want fantasy in their lives. It seems more like a glass of cold water thrown in your face than a true derision. Could be wrong though. To me, the book seems more about the pointlessness of life and the desire to want something else than what we have in front of us, rather than making fun of us for wanting it. (hide spoiler)]

Regarding lit fiction, satire if usually considered literary, as it is employing a particular literary device to make a point.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

What I like and don't like aside...the "powers that be" will simply "reassign" anything they "like" from any other genre to the "literary genre". Jules Vern barely manages to remain science fiction and H.G. Wells works are also snatched away...

Would anyone deny that The Picture of Dorian Gray is a fantasy? The The Turn of the Screw is horror... I'd say Atlas Shrugged would have to be called speculative fiction, What's 1984 or Animal Farm?

The entire genre thing is snobbery and happily I believe a quickly dying snobbery. While the reading level of the public is probably falling at least we can now realize that classic might include things like Harry Potter or Harry Dresden in the future. I might not agree with you as to what constitutes a classic...but we can both read what we like. They might even teach them in Lit. classes in the future...maybe.

[Scott]

1984 is the very definition of speculative fiction.

Most of what we consider classics (or "literature") now was the popular fiction of its day. I have no doubt that J.K. Rowling will be considered classic children's literature the way E. Nesbit or Frances Hodgson Burnett are now.

[Michele]

Breaking books into genres is pretty difficult, but people have a tendency to want to label things. It makes it easier to sell stuff too. I just don't pay that much attention to the genre label. I agree that sometimes "literature" was once popular. Dickens, Shakespeare, etc. But there is a whole lot of "literary fiction" that will be forgotten like any other genre.

[Sandra]

Actually, I don't think 'fairy tale' is a pejorative term at all since they come from folk wisdom and reflect deep psychological truths as much as mythology does. Read Women Who Run with the Wolves. IMO religious beliefs shouldn't enter into the discussion since those are personal.

[[deleted user]]

Well, you're certainly entitled to your opinion.