The Rise of the Hybrid Novel

For most of the twentieth century, there was a very firm division between "literary" books and "genre" books.  Literary books were contemporary (or sometimes historical), dramatic, convoluted, non-linear, and frequently downright arcane.  Genre books were exciting, simple, straightforward, and escapist.  No self-respecting "Literary" author would dream of writing a genre book, and no Genre author would ever be admitted into the lofty ranks of the Literary.  

Now, all that seems to be changing.  Thomas Pynchon has written a detective novel.  Neil Gaiman's and Stephen King's works are being considered on their literary and sociological merits.  And a whole new breed of author, pioneered by the likes of Michael Chabon.  Chabon has always championed the idea that "genre" fiction (in terms of setting and plot) can be just as rich, just as involving, just as fulfilling, just as- dare I say it - literary as anything written by an MFA grad. 

That's not to say we need to "get over it:"  give up trying to aspire to find and create high-quality fiction, and simply embrace our inner pulp-reading child, as the WSJ article seems to imply.  Rather, I think it is calling authors to an even more difficult task than have ever been attempted widely.  To create a rich, satisfying, robust novel that has the heft and intelligence of a literary work, yet is as engrossing and enjoyable as the schlockiest dime-store paperback.