Discovering Unconventional Premises in Contemporary Fiction 📖

Hello there fellow book lovers! Ready to dive into the world of innovative storytelling? Discovering unconventional premises in contemporary fiction can open up a whole new world of literature that challenges the norms and pushes boundaries. In this blog, we will explore five unconventional premises that are currently trending in contemporary fiction.

1. Retellings with a Twist 📚

Retellings of classic stories are nothing new in the literary world. However, contemporary authors are putting their own spin on these tales, giving them a fresh take and a unique perspective.

These re-imagined stories often highlight marginalized characters often left out in traditional narratives. A great example is “The Lunar Chronicles” series by Marissa Meyer, which puts a new spin on Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Snow White.

Another example is “Circe” by Madeline Miller, which retells the story of a minor goddess from “The Odyssey” in a way that highlights her strength and power.

2. Genre Blending 🚀

Gone are the days when genres were strictly defined and never mixed. Contemporary authors are breaking down these barriers, creating stories that blend multiple genres, resulting in unique and innovative narratives.

This blending can create unexpected pairings, like in “Lincoln in the Bardo” by George Saunders, which mixes historical fiction with elements of the supernatural.

Another great example is “The Water Dancer” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, a blend of historical fiction and magical realism. These types of novels often provide readers with a fresh take on a particular genre.

3. Empowering Villains 🦹‍♀️

Traditionally, villains in literature are one-dimensional, evil characters, whose main purpose is to create conflict in the story. However, contemporary authors are redefining the villainous narrative, adding depth and complexity to the antagonist.

One such example is “Wicked” by Gregory Maguire, which tells the story of the Wicked Witch of the West from “The Wizard of Oz” from her perspective.

Another example is “The Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller, which explores the story of Achilles, the hero, through the eyes of his friend and lover, Patroclus.

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4. Time Travel 🕰️

Time travel is a popular trope in fiction, but contemporary authors are taking this premise to a whole new level. From alternate timelines to multiverses, time travel novels are exploring new possibilities and pushing the boundaries of what we thought was possible.

One such example is “The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle” by Stuart Turton, which follows a man who is stuck in a time loop, trying to solve a murder mystery while inhabiting different bodies.

Another example is “The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August” by Claire North, which follows a man who lives his life over and over again, retaining his memories and knowledge of the past.

5. Eco-Fiction 🌱

With the constant threat of climate change and environmental destruction, eco-fiction is becoming crucial to contemporary literature. These stories have an underlying message of protecting the environment and living sustainably.

“The Overstory” by Richard Powers showcases the interconnectedness of trees and the importance of recognizing their significance to our world.

Barbara Kingsolver’s “Flight Behavior” is a great example of a novel that explores the effects of climate change on a small community in rural Tennessee.

So there you have it, five unconventional premises in contemporary fiction that are taking the literary world by storm. Now, the next time you’re looking for a new novel to dive into, why not try one that pushes the boundaries and challenges the norm?

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