"It is a memorable, heartbreaking, and ultimately redemptive novel about finding sustenance and friendship in the most surprising places..."
And my husband rolled his eyes. "Redemptive!" he said. "How can a book be redemptive?" He went on to say that he's tired of hearing this word used to describe novels: not only is it overdone, it's simply the wrong word.
First, hubby is correct that this word is being overused to describe books now: once he pointed it out to me, I started seeing it everywhere: The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, The Language of Flowers, The Snow Child, The Burgess Boys, The Good House. All these are new and popular novels, all described as "redemptive." I've read most of them, and what these books actually have in common is they feature sad-sack characters who are better off by the end. They're feel-good books.
So why aren't the books described that way? Why use that specific word? "Redemption" means "salvation" or "atonement," at least when it's not being used in the fiscal sense. Either you are redeeming yourself, by righting a wrong, or someone is redeeming you—and I think only deities are allowed to do that. So the word has a religious flavor. And in that sense, it is pretty weird to apply it to a book: Does the book erase sin from the reader's heart? That's quite a job, for a book! Even the Bible doesn't claim to do that, at least not merely by the reading of it.
"I think they mean the novels are about redemption," I said to my husband.
"That's doesn't make sense, though," he responded. "If a novel is about water, you don't describe the novel as wet."
I hadn't thought about it that way before. But it's true: If a book was about abuse, you wouldn't call it abusive. If a book was about adoption, you wouldn't call it adoptive. So what is behind this use of "redemptive?" Are people hoping these books will redeem them, somehow? As if, by being shown someone else's redemption, we can find our own? Or is there something else behind the sudden uptick in this book-blurb adjective?
It's true, isn't it, that this word is over-used in book blurbs? There's a special set of adjectives they use all the time:
ReplyDeleteredemptive, luminous, enduring, heartbreaking...
I guess that makes it pretty easy to write a blurb. Feel-good endings are redemptive, tragedies are heartbreaking.
Kerry, your comment made me go and read the blurb of the current book I'm reading, "The Fault in Our Stars." And you know what? There it is! "Heartbreaking." I had a feeling it would be there, given the whole "cancer + teenager" thing, and sure enough. I'm actually a little surprised it's not described as "redemptive AND heartbreaking," given that it's a YA. And virtually all YAs seem to be about love + grief. And they typically end with uplift.
DeleteIt was also described as "ambitious" which is a little odder a term to use.
That's hilarious, Stephanie. Makes me want to go read blurbs & underline all of the most common adjectives, find the book that has them all, and read it!
DeleteFunny you bring up the back-blurb thing. I once went to listen to a writer speak and she had us practice this exercise. It's actually more of a formula than anything else. All blurbs you find follow a similar flow and, like Kerry mentioned, they tend to use similar words or wording. Query letters are written in much the same way. The idea is to grip the reader in just a few words so that they'll want to buy the book or at least flip through it. The stronger the wording, like redemption, salvation, or atonement, the more the reader is going to believe that this book is going to somehow hit them in their hearts and make them view the world in a whole different way. Sadly enough, we tend to kiss so many frogs that we really start believing there isn't a prince out there to be found. No one (or book) that can sweep us off our feet. In other words, wording like you mentioned becomes clichéd and has us wondering if we should read the next book that is described in this manner. It almost becomes a disservice to a really good book!
ReplyDeleteIt really must be formula; they hardly vary. And like you said, it gives you no information if every book has the same blurb. Sometimes you wonder if the blurb-writer even read the silly book! I do think this particular word, "redemptive," seems newish. Maybe they ran out of all the other adjectives.
DeleteDo you ever buy books based on blurbs? I'm trying to think if I do. I did recently ("Shine Shine Shine," which was redemptive and heartbreaking, hahaha), but generally I go on reviews.
I will say that yes, I tend to go off of both blurbs and reviews. I weigh them both. When I'm browsing through the library, the blurb is the best thing to guide where I want to go. When purchasing a book, it's usually reviews. I am a firm believer in not wasting my money on junk, and if it sounds like a hundred other books I've read or really has bad feedback, then I pass.
DeleteGive it a few years and the industry will find another strong word to grab readers' attention. 'Redemptive' is getting its 15 minutes of fame!
I have bought books based on blurbs. In fact, it's one of my determining factors. If the blurb is too vague and uses generic words, like the ones mentioned above, I usually don't buy it (unless it's been highly recommended). But if it has a good hook, then have to have it!
DeleteRedemption is a transactional term. Certainly it suggests resolution. I suppose we'll see it used in any restoration of fictional equilibrium. It is not so specific as justice; just sounds more interesting --fewer explosions, more intrigue. I think it's a positive trend in literature, more manageable and less likely to be made into violent movies. Tomorrow I could easily have the opposite opinion.
ReplyDelete"Fewer explosions, more intrigue." I love it. And that certainly would be a welcome development!
DeleteI hadn't given much thought to the term "redemptive." It's kind of funny that it's been overused so poorly. But aside from semantics, redemption is one of my favorite themes in books and films. I think it resonates with many of us because we like to see justice served and people regretting their wrong doings. And isn't fiction about change and growth? I guess "Breaking Bad" would be the opposite of this, ha ha!
ReplyDeleteI could not watch that show, though I hear such good things about it I'd like to try again. I like the theme of redemption, too: it's heartwarming, and we do need those types of books from time to time. I wonder if some readers hope/believe that they will find their own redemption by osmosis, merely through reading such books?
DeleteMy unabridged dictionary provides several non-theological definitions for "redemption" (as well as a single definition specifically tagged as theological). Among the secular definitions, I find "deliverance; rescue." Leaving aside the question of how formulaic and ultimately unhelpful book-jacket blurbs are, I would tend to argue that a book can "deliver" a reader (or even "rescue" him/her) under the right set of circumstances. Wasn't Malcolm X redeemed (in the secular sense) through his reading before he became redeemed (in the theological sense) by Islam? Wasn't Frederick Douglass redeemed through his reading of abolitionist texts? And (to cite a novel as an example) weren't many readers redeemed by reading UNCLE TOM'S CABIN? In my view, any book has the ability to perform a redemptive function--it's just a shame (as Mary Mary suggests) that this powerful word has been co-opted as a sales tool, thus casting doubt on its actual and abundant validity.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I don't think I've ever heard redemption used as a synonym for rescue; have you? I mean, I guess in the sense of self-rescue, but it definitely carries a connotation of something one does to oneself, in the secular sense.
DeleteDid Malcolm X and Frederick Douglas redeem themselves through their reading? I'm not sure how that would work, at least not with the definition I understand. They would have to have done something wrong, then make up for it ... through reading? I suppose that must be one of the other definitions at work, but I don't believe I've ever heard the word actually used that way. It almost sounds like a synonym for "inspire" but again, that's not a way I've heard it used. (Which doesn't mean it's not legit, of course.)
Interesting discussion! Thanks for popping by and adding your thoughts, YA Guy!
I don't think I have ever read a book that had the word redemptive in the title. In fact if I saw that word used in the blurb I am almost sure I would put the book back on the shelf where I found it.
ReplyDeleteBut I think you are essentially correct, the phrase they are trying to replace with the word redemptive is "feel good novel." I suppose it is the kind of novel that leaves you feeling more positive about he world than say, "Of Mice and Men."
I'm sorry, but using "Of Mice and Men" to counter the idea of a "feel good" book made me laugh. But in a good way! I completely get what you're saying.
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