There are certain other features as well, which set the novels apart from the other forms of literature. You’ll come across various styles in novels, as every author may specialize in a particular genre. The author might also have a unique way of expressing things. So, let’s take a look at the major types of novels that the readers need to know:

1. Mystery novels

The Sherlock Holmes novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle are some of the best examples of mystery novels. They usually revolve around a crime, which is often a murder. Certain missing pieces about the crime need to be solved. According to the traditional format, this is done either by an amateur or a professional detective.

If the novel is not in accordance with the traditional format, the protagonist solves the mystery. As the story progresses, the detective or the protagonist takes the help of clues, which also include false leads. The best selling mystery novel in the world is Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None.

2. Science fiction and fantasy

One can consider the works of Jules Verne as the early form of science fiction. There’s a thin line between science fiction and fantasy novels. However, science fiction generally generally imagines a different kind of world because of a possible technological evolution. The basis for imagination of a world in fantasy is magic.

Nevertheless, these two genres of novels are among the most popular products of fiction. Some of the widely read novels in Western literature are fantasy novels. They include The Lord of the Rings and the Harry Potter series. The genre of contemporary science fiction is also extremely popular among the readers.

3. Horror or thriller novels

The defining feature of such novels is that they’re designed to induce a sense of fear in the reader. Along with fear these novels also create a lot of suspense. The Count of Monte Cristo and Heart of Darkness can be considered the early versions of the genre.

The novels of Stephen King are the more contemporary examples of horror or thriller novels. Thriller novels use a combination of other genres such as mystery or science fiction occasionally.

4. Romance

Today, the romance novels focus more on telling a story of romantic or sexual love between the main characters. Despite this, the romance novels of the present day have many things in common with the good old romances. Some of them are the goal of the romantic love, the intense emotions, and the occasional scandal.

The romance novels of today follow some highly specific structures. They usually seek an optimistic or a happy resolution. In the United States, romance novels are currently the most popular genre.

5. Historical fiction

As you might’ve guessed from the name, historical fiction is a fictional story set in the real past. There’s a type of historical fiction that have a fictional story about an actual historical figure. Then there are others that insert fictional characters into real life events. Some of the famous works in historical fiction include A Tale of Two Cities and Gone with the Wind.

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This also happens from the manner in which these characters view their surroundings. The theme of the novel is illustrated and personified by its characters. While you must know the importance of characters in a novel, you must also know who they are. Here are some of the main characters that you would find in most of the novels:

1. The protagonist

The main character of the novel, the protagonist is often referred to as the ‘hero’ or the ‘heroine’. However, the character is not necessarily bad or good. If you’re writing a novel, you’ll mostly use the point of view of the protagonist in the story. The novel, in fact, is the story of the protagonist.

While writing the story, you must make sure that this character relates to the reader. Even his or her bad choices must make sense to the audience. The portrayal must be such that the reader understands and roots for him or her. You might have more than one protagonist depending on the story’s genre.

2. The antagonist

The antagonist may either be an individual or a group of individuals. The role that he or she plays in the life of the protagonist is what defines him or her. An antagonist is not necessarily evil. If the character is in some way against the protagonist, he or she is the antagonist.

It’s important that the protagonist faces obstacles in the way of accomplishing something in the story. An antagonist is the one who either creates these obstacles or is the obstacle. The presence of an antagonist is what prolongs the story and makes it interesting.

3. The mentor

When the protagonist sets off on his or her journey, a guide is always needed. The mentor plays the role of a guide to keep him or her on the right path. A mentor, therefore, is an individual who guides the protagonist wisely throughout the story. The mentor is someone with a lot of experience and is helpful.

A mentor is mostly needed because a protagonist is not always perfect and all-knowing. When the protagonist falters in his or her path, the mentor reminds him or her of the moral codes. So, the statement won’t be an exaggeration that every protagonist needs a mentor.

4. The skeptic

The role of a skeptic is to add some dimension to the novel’s story. He or she may also be the friend of the protagonist, but not necessarily a sidekick. A skeptic won’t provide an unwavering support to the protagonist’s journey. This is because the skeptic believes that the protagonist can’t reach his or her goal.

In a way, skeptics embody the readers’ doubts with regards to the goal of the protagonist. The skeptic is often a voice of reason and this conflicts with the emotion that a protagonist has.

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