Series fiction
Series fiction refers to a group of independently published works of fiction that are related to one another, usually through similar elements of setting (often, characters).
Characteristics
[edit]Victor Watson defined series fiction as "a series of narratives, published separately, often over a considerable period of time, mostly about the same characters, and usually written by one author". He notes that its key characteristics that distinguish it from other types of fiction is its "extended overall length and its composition in separate narratives".[1]: 532 While the unifying feature for most series are characters, for some, that can be a place or an institution (for example, the Greyfriars School series by Charles Hamilton, the Chalet School series by Elinor Brent-Dyer or the Green Knowe series by Lucy Boston)[1]: 534
Series fiction is often incorrectly pigeonholed into one primary genre, but in fact many series can have elements of different genres.[1]: 532
Brian M. Stableford noted that series fiction is a result of commercialization and mass production of fiction, and its formularization to meet readers expectations; he writes that "powerful market forces pressure publishers and writers to follow up successful works with sequels". He also observes that series are often likely to suffer from the problem of "melodramatic inflation"; i.e. "the necessity of increasing the magnitude of threats that the hero is required to overcome". One of the solutions to the later is the creation of sidestories (spinoffs) or prequels.[2][3]
Types of series
[edit]Victor Watson distinguishes progressive and successive types of series, with the former being characterized by character growth, with books intended to be read in order, usually chronological. The latter, on the other hand, show much less character growth and can usually be read in any order without significant impact on the reader's understanding of the story.[1]: 532–533
Series fiction spans all types of media. Major types of series fiction include, among others:
- Book series
- Comic book series
- Film series
- Radio series
- Television series
- Video game series
- Web series
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Hunt, Peter (2004-08-02). "Series fiction". International Companion Encyclopedia of Children's Literature. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-134-43684-2.
- ^ Stableford, Brian M. (2004). "Series". Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction Literature. Scarecrow Press. pp. 309–310. ISBN 978-0-8108-4938-9.
- ^ Stableford, Brian M. (2004). "Melodramatic inflation". Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction Literature. Scarecrow Press. pp. 225–226. ISBN 978-0-8108-4938-9.
Further reading
[edit]- Watson, Victor (2013-04-15). Reading Series Fiction: From Arthur Ransome to Gene Kemp. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-134-58846-6.
- Grossman, Anita Susan (1990). "Series Fiction Then and Now". Children's Literature. 18 (1): 173–183. ISSN 1543-3374.
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