So the first activity of the course follows on from the question What is genre?
I find this fascinating because some of my favourite books do not fit neatly into one particular sub-genre. I am, and always have been, a lover of science fiction, and I am a fan of JD Robb’s In death series. However, is that really science fiction? Yes it is set in a future world where cosmetic surgery is the norm, designer drugs are everywhere, transport modes are varied and people live off-world. Look beyond the setting, though, and actually each book is a classic crime novel. Each story features New York cop, Eve Dallas, pitting her wits against a criminal, and each story begins with a death – hence the title.
Look deeper again and it could be argued that the series fits in the romance genre. The relationship between Eve and Roarke is a vital part of the narrative. JD Robb also delivers a depth with the love lives of other characters.
Perhaps that is why I love these books so much. They play with genre, using the different sub-genres like a store of recipe ingredients: a large helping of crime mixed with a generous pinch of romance, add in a dash of humour, serve on a bed of science fiction.
One day I hope these books will cross the genre divide from fiction to drama because they would make a brilliant set of movies or a TV show.
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