For the A to Z Challenge, I'm discussing different book genres/categories. Each day, I will give a few details about the genre/category and an example or two. I would love to know your thoughts on the genre/category and if you have any reading suggestions. Be sure to check out all of my A to Z posts.
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Adventure fiction, as the name suggests features an adventure. Often there is danger as part of the plot and the story excites the reader. I usually think of adventure fiction being for kids and targeted to men. So I was a little surprised to read on Wikipedia, that some adventure fiction also falls in the literary definition of romance - until I thought about swashbuckling pirates featured on some bodice ripper romances.
Adventure fiction can overlap with war fiction, spy novels, and crime fiction. The main factor that determines if a book is an adventure story is the adventure is the focus. While a character may have an adventure in another type of novel, it may only last for a scene. But in an adventure story it is a series of events that encompass the whole story.
Until recently, the genre has been dominated by male writers (perhaps the reason I associate it with being targeted to men).
The adventure fiction genre has been popular since the mid-1800s. The genre was particularly popular among American pulp fiction magazines in 1910s - 1950s.
Examples of Adventure Fiction
There are probably a few classic children's adventure novels that you can think of: The Swiss Family Robinson, Twenty Thousands Leagues Under the Sea, and Treasure Island.
For a more current, adult adventure story, check out Plumbelly by Gary Maynard (you can also read MK's review of the sea story).
Or try this ebook for FREE!
Wild Mind by David Barbur
When a frightened mother asks woodsman and tracker Tye Caine to find her missing son, he can’t say no.
The search takes him deep into the wilderness of the Cascade Mountains, where he finds a group of people who want to live a wild life. The only catch is one of them might be a killer.
If that wasn’t complicated enough, he sees visions of people he knows are dead.
Soon he finds himself on the run with no gear, no supplies, and no options. That’s familiar territory for Tye, but this time he’s terrified that any mistake will cost him the woman he loves.
Buy Wild Mind at Amazon
Do you enjoy adventure stories? What are some of your favorites?
Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.
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Thanks for stopping by my blog! I agree, most of the adventure novels I've read are written by men, I never really thought about it like that before.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Literacious! I love your in-depth description of the genre! I'm excited to see some of the other genres you pick throughout the month!
ReplyDeleteWhile science fiction, thriller, fantasy, urban fantasy, mystery and, really, most genre fiction contains elements of action adventure, because they have "unreal" aspects, they spin off from action adventure. I think what makes action adventure so much fun is it is set in the "real" world - it could happen, maybe. (P.S. Thanks for dropping by!)
ReplyDeleteI enjoy adventure fiction! The classics are such fun! Great to stop by!
ReplyDeleteI like adventure stories, usually mixed with other genres, too :-)
ReplyDeleteRonel visiting for A: My Languishing TBR: A
Abominable Wraiths