Realistic fiction

Realistic fiction is a type of fiction work. It is characterized by stories that could plausibly occur in reality, lacking elements of fantasy, science fiction, or the supernatural. Realistic fiction stories are typically not based on true events, but the stories and characters could exist in the real world without seeming out of place or unusual. While other genres of fiction may involve conflicts that endanger the fate of thousands of people, or even the world, realistic fiction often focuses on a single person or a small group. Its resolutions also tend to be far less flashy than in other stories, usually revolving around the personal growth of the protagonist. This genre exists in many forms of fiction, including novels, short stories, television shows, movies, and graphic novels.

Background

Realistic fiction overlaps with other genres and often leads to confusion, with disagreements on the definitions of each genre, and the strictness of the boundaries between them. Common overlapping genres are contemporary, historical, and slice-of-life fiction. Contemporary fiction takes place in the present, with a real-world setting. Some authors argue that by nature, these stories can only be considered contemporary for a short time after their publication. Historical fiction typically involves real-life historical events and usually includes historical figures as characters, but main characters are often entirely fictional, as are the primary conflicts.

The most common viewpoint is that the time period must be essential to the story in order for it to be considered contemporary or historical fiction. By this classification, a story that takes place in a past time period, but does not reference any of its major events or reflect the society and culture is not historical fiction, just fiction—possibly realistic—that takes place in the past. Realistic fiction may also be considered historical if it features historical events or characters. Similarly, it can overlap with contemporary fiction.

Another type of fiction is the slice-of-life story. This story typically follows a character or group of characters through a period of their ordinary life, often lacking the exposition, gradual buildup of action, climax, and falling action of traditional fiction plot. This type of fiction relies on relatable characters, relationships, struggles, and achievements. It can overlap with realistic fiction, but many slice-of-life stories feature unrealistic elements. This is especially common in comic books and graphic novels.

A great deal of different genres and stories do not qualify as part of the realistic fiction genre due to certain elements, but may be realistic in many ways. It is common for science fiction and fantasy-based stories to combine ordinary and abnormal elements. Realistic fiction requires all elements of the story to be plausible in the world as is known at the time of writing.

Overview

Realistic fiction has a tendency to focus on themes and character growth. These stories do not have the limitless concepts and imagery available in science fiction and fantasy. When realistic fiction succeeds, it is usually because audiences can easily identify with the characters and situations.

Like many forms of fiction, realism can be subjective and debated. Some audience members may find a particular character's choices or a certain situation unbelievable. While the strictest definition of the genre is that it is made up of entirely plausible elements, a more inclusive version would only call for a lack of science fiction, fantasy, or supernatural elements.

Realistic fiction is found in many forms of media. Books are the most common form that the genre takes. A lot of crucial developments take place within characters' thoughts, which can be expressed very effectively through words.

While fiction aimed at children and adolescents is some of the most likely to use unrealistic elements, some of the most popular realistic fiction is also intended for this demographic. Realistic fiction is common in English and literature classes, since they often explore themes and present story and character arcs in very accessible ways. Themes and arcs are present outside of realistic fiction, but they are often disguised by unrealistic elements, or may not be the focus of the book. The works of authors Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume are realistic fiction for younger audiences. One common type of story in realistic fiction is the bildungsroman, or coming-of-age story. These stories focus on the protagonists' transformation from youth to adult, and the changing responsibilities and perspectives that come with that. Not all of these stories are realistic fiction, but realistic examples include To Kill a Mockingbird by author Harper Lee.

Visual media is more likely to emphasize dynamic scenes and special effects, but there are plentiful examples of realistic fiction in both film and television. Plays and musicals are also sources for realism (most musicals do not intend for the characters to be singing in the "reality" of the story. The story is instead using the music to help convey emotion and plot developments.)

The genre is far rarer in comic books and video games. Superheroes have dominated the comics industry since World War II (1939–1945), and the medium has become so associated with them that other works have difficulty getting noticed. However, some examples exist, such as Wimbledon Green and The Jew of New York. Realistic fiction is more common in newspaper comic strips, which often use relatable situations for comedy.

The interactive factor works against realistic fiction in video games. Conveying internal thought processes and personal growth into a format that someone can play and find exciting is difficult. The visual novel, a type of game that prompts a player to make various choices in order to advance through a plot, is the most common type of video game to produce realistic fiction.

Bibliography

"Dystopia Is Done, Fantasy Is Finished: Why Realism Is on the Rise in YA Fiction." Guardian, 13 July 2015, www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2015/jul/13/dystopia-is-done-fantasy-is-finished-why-realism-is-on-the-rise-in-ya-fiction. Accessed 14 Nov. 2017.

"Get Real or Go Home! Great Realistic Fiction for Tweens." Your Guide to Finding Your Next Realistic Fiction Book, realisticfictionfortweens.wordpress.com/tv-movies/. Accessed 14 Nov. 2017.

"How to Know if a Story Is Realistic Fiction." The Pen & the Pad, penandthepad.com/story-realistic-fiction-8494217.html. Accessed 14 Nov. 2017.

Katchor, Ben. The Jew of New York. Pantheon Books, 1999.

Kelly. "Defining Contemporary, Realistic & Historical Fiction." Stacked, 26 Nov. 2012, stackedbooks.org/2012/11/defining-contemporary-realistic.html. Accessed 14 Nov. 2017.

"Realistic Fiction." McQuade Library, libguides.merrimack.edu/RealisticFiction. Accessed 14 Nov. 2017.

Seth. Wimbledon Green. Jonathan Cape, 2006.

"What Is Historical Fiction?" Woodcutter's Revival, www.woodcuttersrevival.com/What-is-historical. Accessed 14 Nov. 2017.