What is the test of a good contemporary or traditional novel?

by Adrian Sroka
30th January 2014

Will the best contemporary literature be regarded as traditional in years to come?

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Ooh you'll have to tell me more about your writing, are you published? If so I want to see it! If not then hurry up and get it published ;) I worry about the messages that young girls are getting in literature.

Sometimes I try and tell myself that the Victorians had strong heroines because women were fighting to be allowed to be like that in real life and that now we are expected to be strong the heroines are hearking back to when they didn't have to be. But I don't believe that! I want to see Bella telling Edward to man up and quit the whinging. I want to see Anastasia tell Christian that actually what turns her on is seeing HIM tied up!

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Katie
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Katie Gerrard
31/01/2014

Katie, I totally agree with you, and that's exactly what my protagonist is like!

We need more Katniss Everdeen's in our literature :)

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Debbie
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Debbie Ellen
31/01/2014

Some novels last the test of time because they are beautifully written, but some last because they say something about the time and culture they are from. Like it or not, Twilight speaks to a certain kind of woman and has become a part of our popular culture. Personally I prefer my female characters to be far more kick ass and can't see anything of the strength and drive of Cathy from Wuthering Heights in Bella, but I hold my hands up to not being the target market!

I really do wish someone would write popular fiction for teenage girls with a strong feminist female lead.

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Katie
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Katie Gerrard
31/01/2014