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Frank Bard's avatar

So...highbrow fiction would be a better term. :)

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Michael-Anne Johnson's avatar

I can definitely see how Normal People. as well as Rooney’s other books, could be classified as Romance. But I would argue that they are too and sexually explicit to be deemed YA. Marianne’s time in Berlin is a good example of when it crosses that line, and is such a key part of her character and the plot.

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Hallie Croft's avatar

This was really fascinating, thank you for writing. I would classify most of the books I read to be "literary fiction," but you're totally right that it probably isn't a clear description of most novels, very "blurry" language and there are better ways to talk about books and book genres. Great food for thought!

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Kern Carter's avatar

Interesting piece. I also wondered about the classification of Rooney's writing, or even something like My Brilliant Friend where by the end of book one, the characters are a mere 16 years old. But no one would dare call Ferrante a YA author.

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Marília Torres's avatar

sempre muito precisa e certeira!!! 🎯

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