narrative fiction

[Anne Frasier]

I've noticed more and more references to narrative fiction lately.
What exactly is narrative fiction? Is it really just literary fiction? If not, what sets it apart from literary fiction? I know that a lot of classics are considered narrative fiction, but does anyone have any good examples of recent narrative fiction?

[Stephen Blackmoore]

Near as I can tell, it's just an academic term for a story. But then, I have trouble dealing with post-modernism, so what do I know?

"Shlomith Rimmon-Kenan (1983: 2) defines narrative fiction as ‘the narration of a succession of fictional events’."

[Anne Frasier]

stephen, that's what i thought until i started seeing it used in a way that seems to set it apart from other fiction. such as an editor saying she was leaving one fiction house and going to another in order to edit narrative fiction. i'm wondering if it's a term people are using now because of the recent popularity of memoir-style books like the kite runner. What i really wonder is if these are books that are more narrative-driven than dialogue-driven.

[Bill Cameron]

I've heard of people talk about narrative non-fiction, which would include memoirs and non-fiction histories and biographies written as stories. I haven't heard of narrative fiction as a term in common use outside of English departments.

[Sandra Scoppettone]

No examples. Narrative is narrative. What's literary about it? To me, the narrative is telling the story. The Three Bears could be called narrative fiction.

The big question is what makes a book literary? I've never been able to figure that one out.

[Sunnie Gill]

Courtesy of dictionary.com
Narrative:
1. a story or account of events, experiences, or the like, whether true or fictitious.
2. a book, literary work, etc., containing such a story.

Fiction:
1. the class of literature comprising works of imaginative narration, esp. in prose form.
2. works of this class, as novels or short stories: detective fiction.

Ergo: A made-up story. gee, who'd a thunk?
Mind you it is repeating itself a little. Ooh, dictionary.com informs me that's called 'Tautology"

[Anne Frasier]

yes, it does seem a bit redundant. or tautological. haha! that's a new one for me. :)

maybe recent mention of narrative fiction has just been an odd cluster. i'm going to keep my eyes open to see if it continues to pop up.

[Stephen Blackmoore]

I think people are just trying to justify their salaries.

[Anne Frasier]

:D

[Bill Cameron]

I want a salary.