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Why I Don’t Like Literary Fiction
I just can’t figure out why anyone else would like it.
Literary fiction differs from commercial fiction in that it has to be about particular topics that impact socially, politically, and economically on the people being written about. The parameters are carefully documented in the rules for the particular prize that the book is being submitted for.
Alfred Nobel’s guidelines for the prize, stating that the candidate should have bestowed “the greatest benefit on mankind” and written “in an idealistic direction,” have sparked much discussion. The prize has “become widely seen as a political one — a peace prize in literary disguise”, whose judges are prejudiced against authors with political tastes different from theirs. Wiki
The Booker prize isn’t quite as demanding — the greatest benefit on mankind — but the judges still look for certain criteria in the books that are submitted.
Literary Quality: Winning books typically exhibit a high degree of literary merit, including strong character development, innovative narrative techniques, and thematic depth. Complex Themes: Many winners tackle complex themes such as identity, history, politics, and morality. They often engage with contemporary issues or explore timeless human experiences. Source
