I’ve read two of her novels. They are well written but I’m not certain she’s a genius author. She is reworking Jane Austen’s themes for the 21st century. But I don’t know if they are timeless works of literature.
I think it’s that she writes coming of age novels for the literary fiction crowd. Instead of YA, she’s writing it for a more sophisticated audience. Plus, she’s young, beautiful, Marxist and not American. The industrial machine does choose its darlings. Not certain how or why they choose certain people but it happens. I’m also not exactly sure why Marxism is so sexy when it’s caused so much damage in its 20th century attempts. I wish there was a better alternative to unchecked capitalism. But whatever…that’s a personal opinion.
The not American part is interesting. I'm working on a piece that might speak to that but it's interesting that you mention that as a part of her popularity.
Also, a writer friend of mine thinks she’s popular because of the sex scenes she writes within the literary fiction genre. She feels that if you can write a decent sex scene it will move a book off the bookshelf.
The biggest thing Rooney has besides writing talent is an outgoing personality and clearly stated political views that inform her work. Not unlike Dickens, Shaw and Wilde in the 19th century.
I've read three of Sally Rooney's books. I don't understand the appeal. I finish her books and then wonder what it is I missed. I decided at one point that I am the wrong generation for them--they seem written for people in their 20s or 30s, perhaps...? Also, I wondered if maybe I'd been fooled into taking them seriously, as they are being sold as "literary fiction." To me, they are sort of commercial romance novels. Disaffected young people being boring, really. So. I'm stymied. I'll still read her newest one one of these days. Don't ask me why! I guess I remain interested in the fact that others "get" her and I don't!
It's an odd feeling to feel compelled to read a book yet not get why so many others enjoyed it. I know that feeling but maybe she really just isn't the writer for you. The presentation as literary fiction is also interesting. We can talk for hours just about that.
I wish I understood why I continue to read her--I suppose I don't want to be left out of the conversation. The genre question--well, it's the publisher, really, who decides how to sell a book and to whom. I feel like her publisher decided to push this as a step above commercial fiction--which makes sense as the books are somewhat dreary. But they certainly are not deep or beautifully written. Right now, I'm trying to even remember the plots of them. Ireland, young people, sleeping around, hurt feelings, broken marriages, sex, some ideas about class differences.... As I recall, her books just sort of end. It's like she just goes so far and then....is done. And then I wonder: who loves these books? What makes them so best-seller-ish?? Why do young women like them? Because they are full of youthful yearning and romance? Anyway, fun to talk about here--thanks for this conversation.
This was very thought-provoking. I love the questions you ask in your posts… why does one writer blow up in the cultural lexicon versus another is such a valuable one to consider.
I agree that Ireland is a powerhouse for writing. I‘d add Donal Ryan and Claire Keegan to the list of current greats from there. I also wonder if your point about her being unafraid to tackle intense topics means she‘s bold in her storylines in a way people can feel? There always seems to be something people are longing for in books that skyrocket, whether it‘s escape, a revolution or kinky sex they can read on the train. Pair that with an attractive articulate author and people are bound to take notice, right?
Yup, all of those things. The one thing I didn't mention because I wanted this to be based on imperical evidence is the "it" factor. Some people just have it, but I don't think the "it" factor works without the other pieces I mentioned, especially timing.
While I haven't read Sally Rooney, your question is another angle for articles I've written for writer's asking if their book is publishable. Your note about potential reasoning being timing and the inclusion of fantastical and dystopian elements and themes could be something.
The angle I looked at included another layer that only adds more questions-- the NY Times bestsellers list. While I don't think I mentioned what was happening when "Hunger Games" came out, if you look at Anne Rice's "Interview with the Vampire" pub'd in 1976, the NYT didn't have any books like it on the list -- "The Boys From Brazil" and other more high brow books were firmly entrenched. Yet Rice's book blew up.
When "Twilight" came out in 2005 dystopian themes were popular. Scott Westerfeld's "Uglies" series was dominating. We all saw what happened next. These two examples makes it seem everybody should write vampire novels... I don't think that's the answer either.
I know I've only added more mystery to your original question of what makes one book or author more popular than another. I don't know if there's really an answer. It's why I tell writers not to shoe-horn themselves into what they think "publishing wants". I think we can only write for ourselves first. Write what lights us up and maybe others will want to bask in the glow.
Could not have said it better myself, Renee. Chasing in presupposed trend or particular angle truly is pointless. You said it best: "write what lights us up."
All very interesting points, as always. I have no theory on why Rooney is so popular, as I can’t tell you why Harry Potter, Twilight, or Fifty Shades of Grey was so popular. I never followed those trends, so never read those books. I enjoyed reading Rooney, but not to the “brilliant” degree. So much more glad to learn from you.
Publishing houses with their data analytics and AI can't produce consistent new author's that will have million book sales. Publishers take the sensible portfolio approach; they gave advances to a wide selection of authors who they believe have MAY have success in order to diversify their risk, many will fail of course their business targets, but they only need one or two author outliers with modest sales to recuperate their outlays and make a decent profit
The writing:
The writing has to be compelling and unique: it has to have some new offering not done before ( that is not flogging to death a concept already written ) but not straying too far from genre boundaries -- you do not the writing to be "too out there" and weird. Also The "angle" has to have unusual and surprising connections eg turtles and ninjas - who would of thought that connection !
The author:
Charisma and "star quality" personality are not possible to predict or put into words. But you may sense it when you see it perhaps.
Author strategy:
Who knows what writing style or approach will be famous and that the public adores ?
Star quality certainly is impossible to predict or put into words, but it is also worth betting on once you do feel it (because I don't think it's something you see). But as I mentioned in a precious comment, without some of those other elements we've both mentioned, Nicholas, I don't think star quality matters.
the author may write ordinary works after initial success; having made the grade so to speak, but regardless of the quality of latter works will maintain sales because of author's "star personality"- anyone else would not be able to do this - look at recording artists, people will still buy because of the artists name more than the album quality.
I like Rooney - don't love or hate her --but I absolutely love Irish writer Donal Ryan. He doesn't spend his time explaining or summarizing in the way Rooney does. His writing is just so good.
I’ve read two of her novels. They are well written but I’m not certain she’s a genius author. She is reworking Jane Austen’s themes for the 21st century. But I don’t know if they are timeless works of literature.
I think it’s that she writes coming of age novels for the literary fiction crowd. Instead of YA, she’s writing it for a more sophisticated audience. Plus, she’s young, beautiful, Marxist and not American. The industrial machine does choose its darlings. Not certain how or why they choose certain people but it happens. I’m also not exactly sure why Marxism is so sexy when it’s caused so much damage in its 20th century attempts. I wish there was a better alternative to unchecked capitalism. But whatever…that’s a personal opinion.
The not American part is interesting. I'm working on a piece that might speak to that but it's interesting that you mention that as a part of her popularity.
Also, a writer friend of mine thinks she’s popular because of the sex scenes she writes within the literary fiction genre. She feels that if you can write a decent sex scene it will move a book off the bookshelf.
Hmmm, that's actually not a bad take. Especially with the popularity of romance right now.
The biggest thing Rooney has besides writing talent is an outgoing personality and clearly stated political views that inform her work. Not unlike Dickens, Shaw and Wilde in the 19th century.
Agreed. She is not afraid of a conversation at all.
Thank you so much forvthis! I am so encouraged by this piece. I love to read about Writing Circles and how encouraging writers are for one another.
The only thing I have to say is that it is not Capitalism that I'd the problem. Government regulation and weak anyi-trust laws are the problem.
I've read three of Sally Rooney's books. I don't understand the appeal. I finish her books and then wonder what it is I missed. I decided at one point that I am the wrong generation for them--they seem written for people in their 20s or 30s, perhaps...? Also, I wondered if maybe I'd been fooled into taking them seriously, as they are being sold as "literary fiction." To me, they are sort of commercial romance novels. Disaffected young people being boring, really. So. I'm stymied. I'll still read her newest one one of these days. Don't ask me why! I guess I remain interested in the fact that others "get" her and I don't!
It's an odd feeling to feel compelled to read a book yet not get why so many others enjoyed it. I know that feeling but maybe she really just isn't the writer for you. The presentation as literary fiction is also interesting. We can talk for hours just about that.
I wish I understood why I continue to read her--I suppose I don't want to be left out of the conversation. The genre question--well, it's the publisher, really, who decides how to sell a book and to whom. I feel like her publisher decided to push this as a step above commercial fiction--which makes sense as the books are somewhat dreary. But they certainly are not deep or beautifully written. Right now, I'm trying to even remember the plots of them. Ireland, young people, sleeping around, hurt feelings, broken marriages, sex, some ideas about class differences.... As I recall, her books just sort of end. It's like she just goes so far and then....is done. And then I wonder: who loves these books? What makes them so best-seller-ish?? Why do young women like them? Because they are full of youthful yearning and romance? Anyway, fun to talk about here--thanks for this conversation.
This was very thought-provoking. I love the questions you ask in your posts… why does one writer blow up in the cultural lexicon versus another is such a valuable one to consider.
I agree that Ireland is a powerhouse for writing. I‘d add Donal Ryan and Claire Keegan to the list of current greats from there. I also wonder if your point about her being unafraid to tackle intense topics means she‘s bold in her storylines in a way people can feel? There always seems to be something people are longing for in books that skyrocket, whether it‘s escape, a revolution or kinky sex they can read on the train. Pair that with an attractive articulate author and people are bound to take notice, right?
Yup, all of those things. The one thing I didn't mention because I wanted this to be based on imperical evidence is the "it" factor. Some people just have it, but I don't think the "it" factor works without the other pieces I mentioned, especially timing.
Totally agree. Plus it‘s so hard to quantify it.
While I haven't read Sally Rooney, your question is another angle for articles I've written for writer's asking if their book is publishable. Your note about potential reasoning being timing and the inclusion of fantastical and dystopian elements and themes could be something.
The angle I looked at included another layer that only adds more questions-- the NY Times bestsellers list. While I don't think I mentioned what was happening when "Hunger Games" came out, if you look at Anne Rice's "Interview with the Vampire" pub'd in 1976, the NYT didn't have any books like it on the list -- "The Boys From Brazil" and other more high brow books were firmly entrenched. Yet Rice's book blew up.
When "Twilight" came out in 2005 dystopian themes were popular. Scott Westerfeld's "Uglies" series was dominating. We all saw what happened next. These two examples makes it seem everybody should write vampire novels... I don't think that's the answer either.
I know I've only added more mystery to your original question of what makes one book or author more popular than another. I don't know if there's really an answer. It's why I tell writers not to shoe-horn themselves into what they think "publishing wants". I think we can only write for ourselves first. Write what lights us up and maybe others will want to bask in the glow.
Could not have said it better myself, Renee. Chasing in presupposed trend or particular angle truly is pointless. You said it best: "write what lights us up."
Indeed, this broadened my thinking. Personally, I think it’s time, chance and preparedness that happens to authors who became icons
All very interesting points, as always. I have no theory on why Rooney is so popular, as I can’t tell you why Harry Potter, Twilight, or Fifty Shades of Grey was so popular. I never followed those trends, so never read those books. I enjoyed reading Rooney, but not to the “brilliant” degree. So much more glad to learn from you.
I hazard my humble guess. We know the following.
From the publishing side:
Publishing houses with their data analytics and AI can't produce consistent new author's that will have million book sales. Publishers take the sensible portfolio approach; they gave advances to a wide selection of authors who they believe have MAY have success in order to diversify their risk, many will fail of course their business targets, but they only need one or two author outliers with modest sales to recuperate their outlays and make a decent profit
The writing:
The writing has to be compelling and unique: it has to have some new offering not done before ( that is not flogging to death a concept already written ) but not straying too far from genre boundaries -- you do not the writing to be "too out there" and weird. Also The "angle" has to have unusual and surprising connections eg turtles and ninjas - who would of thought that connection !
The author:
Charisma and "star quality" personality are not possible to predict or put into words. But you may sense it when you see it perhaps.
Author strategy:
Who knows what writing style or approach will be famous and that the public adores ?
Star quality certainly is impossible to predict or put into words, but it is also worth betting on once you do feel it (because I don't think it's something you see). But as I mentioned in a precious comment, without some of those other elements we've both mentioned, Nicholas, I don't think star quality matters.
the author may write ordinary works after initial success; having made the grade so to speak, but regardless of the quality of latter works will maintain sales because of author's "star personality"- anyone else would not be able to do this - look at recording artists, people will still buy because of the artists name more than the album quality.
Agreed! Once the star power kicks in, it runs its course.
I like Rooney - don't love or hate her --but I absolutely love Irish writer Donal Ryan. He doesn't spend his time explaining or summarizing in the way Rooney does. His writing is just so good.