It is possible to find novels in each manner conceivable, with each author bringing their distinct voice to the table. A handful of prominent subgenres tend to account for a significant portion of the market, even though there are several different genres (and mash-ups of genres) available. Here are a few examples of the major sorts of books you might want to be familiar with:
Novels of suspense
The plot of a mystery novel revolves around a crime that must be solved, which is usually murder but is not always the case. The typical pattern will have a detective—either a professional or an amateur—as the main character, who will be accompanied by a cast of people who will either assist in solving the crime or be suspects. The investigator will sift through information, including false leads and red herrings, during the tale to decode the case. In the mystery genre, you’ll find some of the most well-known novels of all time, such as the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes novels, and Agatha Christie’s novels. And Then There Were None, written by Agatha Christie, is the best-selling mystery novel in the world.
Fictional worlds such as science fiction and fantasy
One of the most popular novel genres is science fiction and fantasy, which both deal with creating fictitious worlds in their stories. The distinctions between science fiction and fantasy are frequently blurred. Still, in general, science fiction imagines a different world because of technology, whereas novel imagines a diverse world because of magic. From Jules Verne’s early works through George Orwell’s major works such as 1984, science fiction has evolved into a hugely popular genre in current times. Aspects of fantasy fiction, such as the Lord of the Rings series, The Chronicles of Narnia series, and Harry Potter, are among the most well-known works of Western literature. These works trace their origins to European epic literature.
Novels of horror and suspense
When thriller books are blended with other genres, they are usually mystery or science fiction stories. A distinctive feature of these novels is that they are frequently written to instill feelings of terror, suspense, or psychological horror in the reader. Examples of early incarnations of this genre are The Count of Monte Cristo (a vengeance thriller) and Heart of Darkness (a psychological/thriller). Stephen King’s works, for example, may serve as more modern examples.
Romance
Most contemporary romance books have certain elements in common with historical romance novels, such as the notion of romantic love as an ultimate goal, the occurrence of scandals from time to time, and the presence of deep emotions at the heart of it all. In contrast, modern romances are more primarily concerned with presenting the tale of a romantic and sexual relationship between two or more individuals. They frequently follow very strict frameworks, and they are almost always necessary to reach an optimistic or “happy” conclusion. In the United States, romance novels are now the most widely read fiction genre.
Fiction based on historical events
As the term implies, historical fiction is simply a fictitious narrative that takes place during a specific period of human history that is historically accurate. Some historical fiction stories are based on genuine historical personalities. In contrast, others are based on fictitious (or semi-fictional) stories about fictional (or semi-fictional) characters who appear in real-life events. Ivanhoe, A Tale of Two Cities, Gone with the Wind, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame are some of the most famous pieces of historical fiction ever written.
Fiction with a Realist Twist
In a nutshell, realist fiction is fiction written without regard to genre or style to portray stories that “might” take place in the world as we now know it. The emphasis is on accurately showing objects without romanticism or creative embellishments to enhance their appearance. Realist authors like Mark Twain, John Steinbeck, Honoré de Balzac, Anton Chekov, and George Eliot are among the most well-known.