Sonal Priyadarshini
Abstract
Scholars, critics, and publishers have treated popular and literary fiction as two very different kinds of writing for years. This paper attempts to scrutinize that timeless divide by exploring the novels of British contemporary author Kate Atkinson. From her prize-winning debut novel ‘Behind the Scenes at the Museum’ to her widely loved Jackson Brodie detective series and bold and valiant experiments like ‘Life After Life’, Atkinson displays that powerful storytelling, rich style, and extensive appeal can go hand in hand. Drawing from genre theory and reception studies, this paper contends that Atkinson’s work disputes the conventional hierarchies of “high” and “low” literature. Her fiction challenges us to rethink how we define quality, purpose, and audience in contemporary writing. Ultimately, the study concludes that the distinction between popular and literary fiction is less about artistic merit or skill and more about the cultural assumptions shaped by institutions and the book market.
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Published: June 2025 [Vol. 08, No. 06]