Note: Although I have
subdivided the genres into fifty subgenres, be aware that the “line” is neither
hard nor fast. Many of the subgenres crosses territories both within a main
genre (e.g. many gothic novels also have elements of paranormal or
psychological horror) as well as between the main genres (e.g. romantic
suspense is a mix between suspense and romance).
Humor
The Lits
Literature’s
equivalent of situation comedies (sitcoms), often target to a specific
demographic (e.g. chick lit targeted to single woman in their twenties and
thirties). Example: Bridget Jones’s Diary
by Helen Fielding, The Secret Life of
Becky Miller by Sharon Hinck
Satire
A
social commentary novel with humor, intending to point out the follies of
society and politics. Example: Gulliver’s
Travels by Jonathan Swift
Romantic Comedy
A
romance and humor blend in which humorous circumstances are mainly what keep
the hero and heroine apart. Example: the film While You Were Sleeping
Parody/Spoof
A
story whose humor derives from exaggerating elements of pop culture or familiar
trope; very similar to satire. Example: the film Enchanted, Don Quixote by
Miguel Cervantes, The Hitchhiker’s Guide
to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Black Comedy/Gallows Humor
A
story whose humor deals with the dark and often serious topics, such death and
crime. Example: Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory by Roald Dahl
Mystery
Detective/PI/Hardboiled
Mysteries,
usually written in first person, whose protagonist is a trained detective or
private investigator. When the protagonist has a strong cynical bent, the
mystery is frequently categorized as a hardboiled mystery. Example: The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
Police Procedural
Mysteries
solved by cops or other law enforcement, often focused on the intricacies of
the law-enforcement process. Examples: T.V. series CSI, The Harry Bosch series by Michael Connelly
Courtroom Drama
Mysteries
involving the prosecution of person who is believed to have committed a crime.
Example: T.V. series Perry Mason, A Time to Kill by John Grisham
Cozy
Mysteries
solved by an amateur sleuth. Example: Murder,
She Wrote, Dorothy Sayers’ Lord Peter Whimsy series, G.K. Chesterton’s
Father Brown stories
Romance
Historical Romance
Romance
in a historical period. Example: Gone
with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Romantic Comedy
A
romance and humor blend in which humorous circumstances are mainly what keep
the hero and heroine apart. Examples: the film While You Were Sleeping
Romantic Suspense
Suspense
novels blended with a romance between a hero and heroine. Example: The O’Malleys
by Dee Henderson, Submerged by Dani
Pettrey
Contemporary Romance
A
romance in the contemporary real world. Examples: Sophie’s Heart by Lori Wick, Happily
Ever After by Susan May Warren
Paranormal Romance
A
romance in a world with paranormal elements (e.g. vampires, angels, ghosts),
and often either the hero or heroine is not human. Examples: Stephenie Meyer’s
Twilight series, John Olson’s Shade.
Science Fiction
Steampunk
Science
fiction placed in a historical setting, usually an English Victorian world.
Example: the works of Jules Verne are the foundation for this modern
subgenre.
Apocalyptic/Post-apocalyptic/End
Times
Science
fiction dealing with the end of the world (at least as we know it) through
apocalyptic events. Examples: The Left Behind series by Jerry Jenkins and Tim
LaHaye
Dystopia
A
futuristic story where government, and society in general, has gone very wrong.
Example: The Hunger Games by Suzanne
Collins
Hard Science
Science
fiction rooted in current scientific facts and theory, emphasizing technical
details. Examples: 20,000 Leagues Under
the Sea by Jules Vern, Contact by
Carl Sagan, The Andromeda Strain by
Michael Crichton
Soft Science
Science
fiction concerned more with the soft sciences (e.g. anthropology, sociology)
and less with the plausibility of the hard science. Examples: “Flowers for
Algernon” by Daniel Keyes, Fahrenheit 451
by Ray Bradbury
Space Opera
Science
fiction blended with adventure which occurs almost entirely in outer space,
frequently with an emphasis space warfare. Examples: The Star Trek T.V. series, The Foundation series by Isaac Asimov, Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Superhero
Science
fiction which is usually set in a contemporary world, where a few people with
special talents battle evil. Examples: the film The Avengers, Failstate
by John Otte, Michael Vey series by Richard Paul Evans
Time Travel
A
science fiction, often blended with historical fiction, wherein a character
travels to the past or, more rarely, the future. Examples: The Time Machine by H.G. Wells,
The Time-Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger,
Suspense & Thriller
Romantic Suspense
Suspense
novels blended with a romance between a hero and heroine. Example: The
O’Malleys by Dee Henderson, Submerged
by Dani Pettrey
Supernatural Suspense/Spiritual
Warfare
Suspense
novels involving the supernatural, usually angels and demons. Example: Frank
Peretti’s This Present Darkness
Techno/Cyber Thriller
Thrillers
whose plots are driven by computers or other advanced technology. Example: Hunt for Red October by Tom Clancy
Spy/Espionage
Suspense
and thriller stories whose main character is a spy or espionage plays a major
role in the plot. Example: Casino Royale by
Ian Flemming
Political Intrigue
Suspense
& thriller stories where politics play a major role, usually in the form of
corrupt government, government cover-up, or government conspiracy.
Legal Thriller
Thrillers
whose plot is driven by courtroom battles and the justice system. Example: The Firm by John Grisham
Medical Thriller
Thrillers
whose plot centers on medicine, disease, and hospitals. Example: work of
Richard Mabry
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