Though "dark" and "gritty" are nothing new, the more recent approach to these types of stories eschews the "torture porn" schadenfreude aspects of previous crime and mystery novels/reporting. (The whole "can't look away from the car-crash / thank god it wasn't me or anyone I love" aspect that keeps people watching or reading in a combination of horror and dark fascination.) Instead, the focus is on the gray areas, the uncertainties, the good in the bad and the bad in the good. MUCH more fascinating, if you ask me.
I'd love to hear YOUR thoughts, whether you agree or disagree, and I'd also love to know which 2016 books YOU recommend, whether it's for this trend or any other!
And I'm curious: what do you think will be the trend of 2017?
TV:
Making a Murderer
The Jinx
Serial
How to Get Away with Murder
Scandal
Revenge
BOOKS:
The Killing Jar
After the Woods
The Darkest Corners (review)
The Darkest Lie
Wink Poppy Midnight
Blood & Salt
and so many more! (These are just the ones shown in the video)
Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored video. (Though the books shown were sent to me for PR consideration purposes.)
I would say that you definitely have a strong case. I've seen the darker and grittier, but particularly shades of gray characters have been strong this year. I actually like it though my reading record doesn't show that. LOL Most of my YA reads this year have been UF or dystopian which are also tending to be dark and gritty.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it's just me, but living the severe mental health issues and trauma from abuse or neglect seem to be pretty strong elements, too.
I have no idea what the next trend will be, but I'd love to see gothic have a reemergence. I love the spinechilling tingles as the heroine walks through an ominous scene. ;)
Great discussion, Misty!
I could not agree more! I like dark and gritty, but only when it's realistic (not tropey). Considering the cyclical nature, as you mentioned, I imagine it'll give rise to a more lighthearted trend. I saw that with the lighthearted steampunk/urban zombie trend. So hopefully lighthearted and....fantastical? I'd love to see space operas be a thing again. :)
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