What does realism mean to you?

As regards fiction, what are your thoughts on realism as a genre or method? Your candor is appreciated.

How would you define "realism" in fiction?

As a method, describing things in a believable way. Magic, the supernatural, the speculative, etc. can seem real!

As a method, describing things as they are. The fantastic or miraculous obscures the experience of life!

As a genre, depicting the mundane. The interest lies in the humanity of the characters!

How do you feel about fiction depicting the mundane?

I dislike it. Reading is an escape for me, so I prefer fantasy to real life.

I don't prefer it. I know how I experience the world, but I'd like to see the world through the eyes of someone who's been through something strange or exciting!

I prefer it. It's truthful to the experience of a typical person and speaks to me.

What does a "truthful representation" of something mean to you?

Depicting things as they are, honest about the way emotion and experience color perception.

Depicting things as they are in a removed, objective way. "Just the facts, ma'am."

Depicting things as they could be were they real, removing kitschy tropes in the depiction of the miraculous or weird.

How do you feel about history?

I dislike it. I've little interest in history, but I happen to like period pieces and such.

I like it. I enjoy learning about history, but I'm not partial to historical fiction.

I love it! I like it in my fiction or straight up.

I hate it! No thanks!

How do you feel about science fiction?

No, sir. I don't like it.

I enjoy it if the science is something that exists now or could exist in the foreseeable future.

I love it! Bring on the photon torpedoes or whatever!

What's your opinion on socialist realism as a literary method? Think Maxim Gorky and his ilk.

Whats that? Something at Denny's?

It's an interesting look at the way revolutionaries saw the world at the time, balancing harsh criticism of the old world with optimism for the new.

It's partisanship is exactly what makes it realistic! It depicts life true to the revolutionary development of history!

Hardly realistic, given the requirement that it be partisan to socialism!

I guess I always thought socialist realism only meant those propaganda posters. With Stalin's rosy cheeks and all.

What kind of story is best suited to realism as a literary method, in your opinion? Or, if you prefer, what else can you tell me about your feelings on realism?

This poll was created on 2014-09-16 01:37:27 by C.O. Scanlan