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Adult Reading Round Table Genre Boot Camp • Suspense/Thrillers |
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Suspense/Thrillers DEFINITION: Suspense and thrillers are two of the most popular genres for readers because of their fast pacing, plot twists, and emotional appeal. Suspense novels compress action into a short period of time, emphasize the psychological and physical danger the protagonist faces and appeal to the reader’s sense of unease. Emotionally the reader identifies with the survival of the central character. Thrillers, on the other hand, are complex stories that use a specific world such as the courtroom, medical laboratory, or government agency, often have exotic settings, and emphasize the defeat of the villain and his conspirators. In both genres, the story is filled with tension, plot twists, and most recently graphic violence and sex. The distinctions between the two genres are blurring as writers use elements from both genres and the mystery genre in their books. See Also Mystery. |
Classic Authors: Eric Ambler, Jeffrey Archer, Daphne Du Maurier, Ian Fleming, Graham Greene, Thomas Harris, Robert Ludlum
CHARACTERISTICS: Plot rules--often intricately woven plots--clever, often with a dash of history and science--fast pacing, frequent action, and resourceful heroes--Suspense, red herrings, and cliffhangers are used extensively. Sense of foreboding--menacing atmosphere--danger--some violent action. Twists and turns--layers of secrets--exotic locales
APPEAL:
Reader identifies with dilemma of protagonist--feels
the fear--can view violence from a safe distance
Pure entertainment--safe, predictable, fun
Riveting--quick moving stories--reader can be privy to
secrets and can jump from one narrow escape to another--We like to be
scared
Clear delineation between good and evil
READERS: Something for everyone but men primarily are attracted by the horror/action/military/techno/spy thrillers while women prefer the romantic suspense/psychological/medical novels
SUBGENRES: Action/ Military, Bio/Eco Thrillers, Conspiracy Thrillers, Crime Thrillers, Financial/Corporate, Horror/Supernatural, Legal Thrillers, Medical/ Forensic, Military/Techno-Thrillers, Political Thrillers, Psychological Suspense, Romantic Suspense, Serial Killers, Spy Thrillers.