The Typology of Detective Fiction
While reading this explanation of the purpose and different types of genres, I found myself pondering characteristics of a few of my favorite books. I discovered that I could locate attributes of the whodunit (first and second story) and thriller genres in not only mystery novels but adventure mystery and even romance novels.
In Sarah's Key, I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the first and the second story, a research account of a journalist and the sad story of a ten year old Jewish girl. I was compelled to keep reading to discover if Sarah's brother ever survived and if the journalist ever uncovered this sad story. In one chapter, I was able to witness the horror of the concentration camps from an innocent child's perspective, and just as I approached the edge of my seat, the journalist would narrate looking at relics of the Holocaust as if it were a distant memory.
This suspense of the whodunit novel was even clearer to me in Murder on the Orient Express. Although I could never be certain that Mr, Poirot would even survive that train ride, I could not stop reading because I had to know who stabbed the sleeping passenger and why.
Looking back at the article and my preference in books and shows, I find that I have a preference for the whodunit type of mystery novels and shows. I enjoy following along as detectives like Sherlock Holmes, Monk, and Shawn Spencer decipher the clues and discover who the culprit is. However, there is also a great excitement in not having a character who narrates the events for the reader. There was great suspense as I watched the characters in Macbeth fall apart after covering up the murder.
Trying to classify these pieces of literature has proven the author's statement that with each great literature two new genres are created.
In Sarah's Key, I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the first and the second story, a research account of a journalist and the sad story of a ten year old Jewish girl. I was compelled to keep reading to discover if Sarah's brother ever survived and if the journalist ever uncovered this sad story. In one chapter, I was able to witness the horror of the concentration camps from an innocent child's perspective, and just as I approached the edge of my seat, the journalist would narrate looking at relics of the Holocaust as if it were a distant memory.
This suspense of the whodunit novel was even clearer to me in Murder on the Orient Express. Although I could never be certain that Mr, Poirot would even survive that train ride, I could not stop reading because I had to know who stabbed the sleeping passenger and why.
Looking back at the article and my preference in books and shows, I find that I have a preference for the whodunit type of mystery novels and shows. I enjoy following along as detectives like Sherlock Holmes, Monk, and Shawn Spencer decipher the clues and discover who the culprit is. However, there is also a great excitement in not having a character who narrates the events for the reader. There was great suspense as I watched the characters in Macbeth fall apart after covering up the murder.
Trying to classify these pieces of literature has proven the author's statement that with each great literature two new genres are created.
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