Literary Genres (13): Realistic Fiction

 

REALISTIC FICTION is a genre consisting of stories that could have actually occurred to people or animals in a believable setting. These stories resemble real life, and fictional characters within these stories react similarly to real people. Stories that are classified as realistic fiction have plots that highlight social or personal events or issues that mirror contemporary life, such as falling in love, marriage, finding a job, divorce, alcoholism, etc.

It is understandable that fiction can encompass multiple genres, meaning that it can have two or more genres that overlap with each other in one story. A work of realistic fiction, for example, can also hold elements of adventure or romance, so long as the piece of work still stays within the parameters of the genre’s definition. As such, it can be said that different types of realistic fiction include not only adventure and romance, but also humorous stories, mysteries and sports stories. Of course, the different types are not limited to only these genres, or sub-genres.

Subgenres of Realistic Fiction

Adventure and Survival: These stories usually involve danger and the characters must survive in the wilderness or under other extraordinary circumstances.

Coming of Age: Stories about a protagonist’s growth from youth to adulthood. These stories usually emphasize dialogue or internal monologue over action.

Family and Friendships: Stories that focus on the challenges and joys of the relationships of characters among family and friends.

Humor: Usually light-hearted, comical stories intended to make the reader laugh.

“Issue” Books: Fictionalized stories about challenging or controversial subjects such as violence or substance abuse.

Romance: Romance stories center around relationships or romantic love. (Romance is often considered its own genre.)

School Life: A common subgenre of young adult fiction, these stories focus on the everyday trials and tribulations of life for young people at school.

Examples of Realistic Fiction

Example 1
The Hate U Give (by Angie Thomas)

Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give is acclaimed for the way it presents current issues like police brutality and socioeconomic disparity and has even been made into a movie. It is a compelling story that will teach people of all backgrounds and age groups about empathy.

Example 2
To Kill a Mockingbird (by Harper Lee)

You may have read this title years ago in school, and it is worth a reread or consideration as a gift for a young reader in your life. The story is not set with the backdrop of the civil rights movement, as those events followed its publication. Still, To Kill a Mockingbird implores empathy in the face of unfair accusations based on something as trivial as the color of someone’s skin.

Example 3
The Kite Runner (by Khaled Hosseini)

Khaled Hosseini’s story is a tear-jerker in which childhood bonds of friendship never fade, even in dark times. The Kite Runner is set in Kabul, Afghanistan, and describes adult traumas that are common in wartime. Its story winds throughout the protagonist’s lifetime, creating beautiful arcs and prevailing themes that will linger long after you finish reading it.

Importance of Realistic Fiction

A realistic character might remind you of yourself, or they might help you understand people of a different culture, religion, gender, sexuality, level of ability, or socioeconomic status. Reading about realistic characters with different experiences can help us empathize better with the people in our real lives.