It's true. It's been going on for a while now, several years.
Granted I haven't read much lately in the way of contemporary adult fiction.The last good grown-up fiction I read was (thanks Margaret) The Gift of Rain by Tan Twan Eng back in 2009. I keep trying but what I've picked up leaves me yawning. POVs jump from place to place, sentences are passive, (I'm on a passive sentence kick these days as I try to weed them out of my own writing) lots of words ending in ly (she wrote testily) long monologues, lengthy conversational info dumps and preachy narration.
I haven't been able to finish anything. Instead, I hurry to the library, peruse the children's section and pull books off the shelves. Ahhhhhh...this is more like it.
Many have said it before, and I want to add my voice. "They" have got it wrong, those who say/think writing for children is easy, or that one doesn't need to be "as good a writer" as someone who writes for grown-ups. Obviously "they" haven't read much in the way of kidlit.
So sad, too bad. If "they" did "they'd" discover what REAL writing is all about. (Who heck are "they" anyway?)
Is something wrong with me?
Have you read any good gruplit lately?
So true! Only a few "grown up" books have managed to hold my attention through to the end. Kid lit rocks!!
ReplyDeleteWhile I prefer adult fiction, it does drive me crazy when I find the things that you mention. I tend to say to myself: "Even I know better than that, but this made it into the book anyway!" It's frustrating!
ReplyDeleteI get so annoyed when I come across those mistake. Especially when I know how strict the rules are...
ReplyDelete>_<
I can't get enough of YA. I read a few "adult" books but YA has my heart. My husband picks on me, asking if me and the other 12 year olds found what we wanted. But, you're right, it is some truly brilliant writing! People shouldn't be so quick to knock it!
ReplyDeleteI loved 'Friends Forever' and also 'Girl Who Stopped Swimming, both reviewed on my blog. Definitely recommend. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI spend most of my time reading kidlit, because I love it and need to be aware of my field. So, I haven't read new adult fiction much of late. But I did adore Susan Straight's TAKE ONE CANDLE LIGHT A ROOM, which came out last year. And on my all-time fave list are adult books, such as THE HANDMAID'S TALE, POSSESSION, THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE.
ReplyDeleteWe went on a cruise to Hawaii, and they had an excellent library. I read City of Ember, and then went from that delightful book to other books by different YA readers. I can't wait for my granddaughters to grow just a little more to share some of my favorites. Susan
ReplyDeleteHey, I'm still reading PBs :)
ReplyDeleteThat said, I love reading all kinds of books, both adult and children's, fiction and nonfiction.
Go on over to Kristi's blog and scroll down a couple of posts if you want some excellent recommendations for adult fiction.
Happy reading.
I am SO WITH you on adult fiction. However, I read THE HELP a couple of months ago and it held my interest all the way. Ditto ROOM by Emma Donoghue (sp?)ROOM has to be an adult novel, but that kid's voice is worthy of MG or YA!
ReplyDeleteI love that you do not commit my pet peeve: you write "as good a writer" instead of "as good OF a writer." Refreshing post all around. :)
Ditto with Marcia on THE HELP. I'm with you, Bish, I gravitate to the YA or kid's sections at the library and feel quite at home.
ReplyDeleteI pretty much read kidlit too except for the Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse novels!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I was in that same situation. Pick up a book written for adults, open it, read a page or two and put it down. I finally found a couple that held my interest, but it was a search, I tell you.
ReplyDeleteKidlit all the way for me. I don't even go into the adult section. I'm so in love with all the fantastic children's books out there.
ReplyDeleteI love the term "gruplit"! I always find it awkward when I try to describe non-kidlit. Two recent good ones are Ishiguro's short story collection, Nocturnes, and the recent phenom, Emma Donoghue's Room. Room features a 5-year old narrator, so it's kinda sorta kid related.
ReplyDeleteI do love kidlit! But rom-coms and chick lit is where my heart lies. :)
ReplyDeleteI think you'll find 'poor' writing in all genres and all markets.
ReplyDeleteI read very few books for adults, but I did recently read Shutter Island and I was blown away by his Dennis Lehane's writing. I'm sure there's good and bad in all genres.
ReplyDeleteI've had quite a few people ask me, "Why don't you write for adults?" They look at me like I'm the crazy one.
ReplyDeleteWhat they don't realize is that being an adult is boring. Kids are the ones bubbling with every new emotion, situation, conflict and decision. That's where it's at.
And no, I don't read it either. I'm like you sighing in the kids section thinking, "Now that's more like it."
Rock on Bish! ;)
I can't remember the last time I read an adult novel. My daughter loves bringing me home books from her school library. And we spend ages choosing books to buy from the Scholastic Book Club. Our latest order arrived yesterday. So exciting!! :o)
ReplyDeleteI almost always read MG and YA novels (and PBs, of course), but if trusted friends really push an adult novel, I'll pick it up. I loved The Help, for example.
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