In the
world of fiction, book categories help readers discover their next favorite
novel. Walk through a bookstore to the rich, dusty aromas of paper and ink, or
scroll through
Goodreads searching for, well, a “good read”, and you will
inevitably come across labels creating little libraries of similar paperbounds,
hardbacks, and digital editions.
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You might find
yourself lost in an online listopia. “Books you would recommend to strangers”
reads one category on Goodreads, right next to another: “’Good for her’ books”.
Or you might go adrift in the pages of the fantasy aisle at a good-old,
brick-and-mortar bookstore.
These categories,
some familiar and some completely new, are usually based on one of two
criteria: content matter and target-audience traits.
We all know the
classic genres: horror, fantasy, romance, and sci-fi, among others. Genres are
simply a means of categorizing books based on their content. Horror novels,
naturally, are expected to contain horror elements, and you might expect a
fantasy-romance hybrid to feature elves in love, or a forbidden romance between
warriors.
On the other hand,
the categories “young adult” (YA) and “adult” fiction do not group books based
on content, but rather, on a certain quality that the intended readers possess:
age.
A brief history
The term “young adult” was first applied to fiction during World War II,
according to CNN, when teenagers first emerged as social category. Before then,
no category of books existed that specifically targeted a youthful audience.
Expert Michael
Cart, writer of From Insider to Outsider: The Evolution of Young Adult
Literature, describes the 21st century as the second “golden age of young adult
fiction”.
The first such
“golden age” came with the publication of Seventeenth Summer by Maureen Daly in
1942. It was the first book intended for a teenage audience (though it was
briefly marketed for adults at first), opening the way for an influx of YA
fiction into the book market.
What’s the
difference?
“The main difference, I would say, is the target audience,” said Lama
Nusair, an assistant professor of literature and cultural studies, in an
interview with
Jordan News.
“YA fiction
targets readers between the ages of 12 and 18, but this does not mean that
older people cannot read and enjoy these books. However, it does mean that the
themes and characterization might be more appealing and relevant to younger readers,”
Nusair added.
One misconception
about these categories is that the term “adult” suggests that the novels in
question are erotic, have an inordinate amount of gore, and so on. But that is
far from the truth — at least in a way.
“Some people might
think that YA fiction does not include any themes that might be deemed
inappropriate in a conservative society like ours, but I think this is not
accurate, as it is not unusual to find some themes of an explicit nature, such
as some mild sexual connotations, mild violence, and/or the use of drugs,”
Nuseir said.
While this fact
may blur the line between YA and adult fiction, Nuseir pointed to a clear
distinction. While YA books do not always shy away from explicit topics, she
noted, the big difference is in the way these subjects are handled.
YA books are known
to be less graphic, even if they do touch on explicit themes. They take into
consideration the younger age of readers, who are more likely to be negatively
affected by explicit topics and discussions. Thus, these novels tend to avoid
the highly graphic details and language sometimes found in adult books.
Adult fiction is a
lot more likely to describe outright the intricacies of triggering or explicit
scenes, whether sexual or gory. This category also deals with topics that
children simply do not encounter and thus will be less interested in: marital
problems, divorce, miscarriages, and debt, to name a few.
A matter of maturity
That is not to say teens cannot read adult books. A vast array of adult
fiction is suitable for young readers. Take, for example, the works of Brandon
Sanderson, whose Mistborn trilogy can easily be read by teens who are
accustomed to a slightly more complex use of language. While Sanderson’s novels
mention fictional wars, he never delves too deep into the gory details of real
wars that might make young readers queasy, uncomfortable, or triggered. His
main character even starts out her journey as a teen.
“Adult fiction is far better for readers who prefer slower paced books, with far more intricacies in writing, far more complex world-building, more fleshed-out characters, and more thoughtful dialogues and monologues,” said Mabel Monroe, a 22-year-old avid reader.
Beyond the
distinctions already mentioned, YA novels usually feature different plot
structures and character development than adult novels. As the protagonists’
ages typically range between 12 and 18, their actions, dialogues, monologues,
and perspectives are usually characterized by a sense of “immaturity” and
impetuousness that teens find relatable. The choices that YA characters make
are most often fueled by their ever-changing emotions and hormones, rather than
strictly rational thinking.
Teens also tend to
gravitate towards YA books based on personal preference.
Jordan News
interviewed 27 teens on their opinions about YA novels, and found that most of
them preferred YA books to adult books because they “felt more comfortable”
when reading them. For teens, YA fiction is more accessible because it lacks
the complex vocabulary and language of adult fiction, and themes usually
include heroism and other age-appropriate concepts.
Nine of the teens
interviewed also remarked that they “do not appreciate adult books for having
characters that criticize their own habitual behaviors”, even in a fictional
context. Many of them referred to adult books, in which characters make similar
choices to their own, who were criticized by typical “wise adult” figures
within the storylines. These near personal, critiques “took a enjoyment out of the
books” for them.
“The distinction
(between YA and adult fiction) is partly to do with publishers wanting to sell
more. However, as a mother of two teens, I am more comfortable giving my
children books that I haven’t read from the YA category than giving them an
adult book that I haven’t read, and am not sure about its content,” said
Nusair.
“Not to suggest
that YA fiction is by default safer to read, but the likelihood of extremely
inappropriate content in YA fiction is lower,” she added. It is important to
note that teens are vulnerable in many ways that adults are not, making the
categorical distinction between YA and adult fiction an important one.
Mabel Monroe, a
22-year-old reader of different genres in both YA and adult fiction, offered
Jordan News some insight into the distinctions she has observed during her long
journey as an avid reader: “Adult fiction is far better for readers who prefer
slower paced books, with far more intricacies in writing, far more complex
world-building, more fleshed-out characters, and more thoughtful dialogues and
monologues.”
Every reader has
their preferences when it comes to reading material. Recent years have seen
increased discussions surrounding these popular categories, which will
hopefully lead to a less-blurry line between YA and adult books, leaving
readers happier and more satisfied.
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