Challenging novels: developing a checklist of stylistic markers of difficulty in prose fiction.

  • Published In: Journal of Literary Semantics, 2026, v. 55, n. 1. P. 1 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Harvey, Peter 3 of 3

Abstract

The idea that some novels are more 'difficult' than others is invoked in many non-academic discussions of literature. However, linking readerly experiences of difficulty to specific textual features of prose fiction has proved challenging. This paper seeks to build a stylistic framework for exploring difficulty in prose fiction, building on Castiglione's 'Linguistic Aspects of Difficulty' checklist developed for use with poetry. It applies this revised framework to excerpts from two texts – Virginia Woolf's Orlando and Toni Morrison's Beloved – to demonstrate the utility of the revised list. It then draws on reviews from the Goodreads website to explore how the presence of linguistic markers of difficulty may be linked to reader responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of Literary Semantics. 2026/04, Vol. 55, Issue 1, p1
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:0341-7638
  • DOI:10.1515/jls-2026-2005
  • Accession Number:192932133
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of Literary Semantics is the property of De Gruyter and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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