A novel of ideas: I don’t think I have thought my novel this way at all even though having you describe this term makes it clear that is exactly what it is. It’s a work of fiction yet there are ideas I want to share so that reader may mull over them too. It isn’t that I think I’m sharing some absolute truth but more of a “what about this? Can we entertain this possibility?”
I've written three novels, basically because ever since a young age I've been a storyteller. So I love to tell stories in a novel, and I equally love to develop characters. This aided me in my screenwriting career. If my characters share an idea, great, but that isn't why I do it. I, however, understand and respect your approach.
I've read many fine novels written by writers like you who are primarily storytellers. I definitely tell a story, but the spiritual, psychological, and cultural explorations are primary.
Very insightful piece. A lot of great authors here, and a good reminder that I'll have to read Umberto Eco one day. Hopefully soon.
I might push back a bit with Beckett, though. While he was no conservative and he was friends with some famous leftists who were no doubt Marxists, I'm struggling to think of something he did or wrote that makes him a Marxist. In the 80s, he dedicated a play to Vaclav Havel in solidarity with his struggle (Havel was in prison at the time): I highly doubt he would have done so if he was a Marxist since the Western Marxist kneejerk reaction was to do everything they could to pretend Communist dictatorships didn't exist. Of course, he was an older and wiser writer at that point. Still, it's been a while since I read his plays. So maybe I'm wrong.
A novel of ideas is a style that I am not too familiar with...but it still helps to know why this person thinks this way ( who is the person, what formed their thinking process) it helps me to understand what you were trying to accomplish and I love the exchange of ideas as I am primarily a listener and nothing I enjoy more than a good hearty conversation
Can't wait to read what you have to say about David Foster Wallace's nonfiction!
A novel of ideas: I don’t think I have thought my novel this way at all even though having you describe this term makes it clear that is exactly what it is. It’s a work of fiction yet there are ideas I want to share so that reader may mull over them too. It isn’t that I think I’m sharing some absolute truth but more of a “what about this? Can we entertain this possibility?”
Thanks for sharing, Mike!
Sounds like you're probably writing a novel of ideas, Priya. Go for it!
I've written three novels, basically because ever since a young age I've been a storyteller. So I love to tell stories in a novel, and I equally love to develop characters. This aided me in my screenwriting career. If my characters share an idea, great, but that isn't why I do it. I, however, understand and respect your approach.
I've read many fine novels written by writers like you who are primarily storytellers. I definitely tell a story, but the spiritual, psychological, and cultural explorations are primary.
Very insightful piece. A lot of great authors here, and a good reminder that I'll have to read Umberto Eco one day. Hopefully soon.
I might push back a bit with Beckett, though. While he was no conservative and he was friends with some famous leftists who were no doubt Marxists, I'm struggling to think of something he did or wrote that makes him a Marxist. In the 80s, he dedicated a play to Vaclav Havel in solidarity with his struggle (Havel was in prison at the time): I highly doubt he would have done so if he was a Marxist since the Western Marxist kneejerk reaction was to do everything they could to pretend Communist dictatorships didn't exist. Of course, he was an older and wiser writer at that point. Still, it's been a while since I read his plays. So maybe I'm wrong.
You could be write. Marxists claim Beckett, but he may not have been a Marxist.
A novel of ideas is a style that I am not too familiar with...but it still helps to know why this person thinks this way ( who is the person, what formed their thinking process) it helps me to understand what you were trying to accomplish and I love the exchange of ideas as I am primarily a listener and nothing I enjoy more than a good hearty conversation
This was a really helpful piece, I think I have been interested in novels of ideas without even knowing the term!
Thank you for enlightening me.
P.S I enjoy David Foster Wallace’s non-fiction more than his fiction as well.
An, DFW! Cool. Good to know.
Novels of ideas. That's very interesting. Helps to define terms, eh?
Definitely helps. Thanks Mike