Yesterday Brenda Anderson left this comment:
It's the belief that CBA fiction is subpar that led me to begin writing reviews a few years back. I volunteered in our church library at that time and found that the majority of our church members avoided the library--particularly fiction--because they believed everything was sweet & fluffy. As someone who reads a ton, and I try to read from all genres, I can honestly say that CBA fiction comprises far more than simple & sweet. So, I started writing book reviews (or recommendations, to be more accurate) for our church newsletter, reviews of quality CBA fiction--reviews of books that were different from the simple & sweet stereotype.
Nicole, you mentioned Steven James, Lisa Samson, Chris Fabry. All excellent, excellent writers, comparable to anyone. How about Athol Dickson? Dale Cramer, Tosca Lee, Charles Martin ... I could name many more. Here in Minnesota, Julie Klassen has gone up against general market writers in book award competitions and has won.
Maybe once upon a time it was true that Christian fiction was subpar. I honestly don't believe that's the case any more, and I'm a very picky reader. Sure, I have to wade through many books to find one that's great, but that's true in the general market too. To me, the big question is, how do we overcome the stereotype?
The subpar label is often attached to Christian fiction by readers who first and foremost have probably read less than 20 novels in the overall genre. These readers sometimes lean toward philosophical and/or literary offerings in the general market and consider themselves open-minded. Please note I’ve used the telling words of “probably” and “sometimes”. If I’d read a smattering of novels in the general market in one or two genres, I would be honest enough to admit I’m no judge of the overall market. Most of my reading outside Christian fiction came a long time ago and included the likes of Dostoevsky, Hemingway, Salinger, D. H. Lawrence, Ken Kesey, Kafka, Daphne duMaurier, Ayn Rand, and so on to name a few. In recent times my general market fare consists primarily of Vince Flynn, and I’ve read one Tom Clancy, one Brian Haig, and I’ve got a Tess Gerritsen waiting in the wings. My Christian fiction numbers exceed 300 novels and counting.
If you’ll glance above at the authors named by Brenda Anderson and me, you’ve got distinct styles and voices and other than Steven James’ thrillers, several of those authors lean toward the literary, certainly in quality of writing and unusual plotting.
As I told Brenda in my reply to her comment, I have no idea how to get readers to move beyond stereotyping Christian fiction as subpar or to be fair in their assessments based on comparative value. It’s probably true that a large percentage of published novels are very average in either markets as both Brendas and I suggested, but no one thinks a thing about it when discussing the value of general market fare because of the authors who’ve managed to merit huge success with highly acclaimed quality writing.
So. Could it be or is it in fact the possibility of including the gospel or suggesting the lifestyle of Christianity in some of Christian fiction that is done so inorganically or so clumsily or so “religiously” as to cause the negative reactions from some readers? Is it the “Christian factor” which grates on the mentalities of certain readers?
Or is it the commonality of language usage, clichéd plots, and perceived happy endings that stir up negative commentary? Because certainly all of these factors are present in much of the general market fare as well.
Or is it the perceived general lack of gritty, gut-level circumstances that is evident in some of the lighter-weight stories in Christian fiction but certainly not evident and very much exposed in the offerings of the above authors, that sends some readers into criticism of the genre?
Brenda A. is correct in stating it takes a lot of reading to discover true gems in either market, but that’s what makes those novels special.
It makes one wonder about the expectations of certain readers when they pick up a novel from either market. Is there a different standard used to evaluate the stories?
Father, here we are again. One of the most precious things to me in light of my redemption is that you’re no respecter of persons. Thank you so much for that. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.