novelese
Definition
Noun (uncountable): - A style of writing characteristic of cheap or formulaic novels: "novelese" refers to the clichéd, melodramatic, or simplistic language and narrative techniques often found in low-quality, mass-market fiction (e.g., romance or adventure novels). It is typically marked by exaggerated emotions, predictable plots, and stereotypical characters.
Usage Examples
- (The writing style was typical of cheap, unoriginal fiction.)
- (The speech patterns are clichéd and unrealistic, like those in formulaic novels.)
Advanced Usage
"to be written in novelese": to employ the overly stylized, artificial language of low-quality novels.
- The author’s attempt at literary fiction fell flat; the entire manuscript was written in novelese. (The writing was trite and derivative, lacking originality.)
"novelese as a pejorative term": used to criticize writing that lacks literary merit.
- Reviewers often use "novelese" to describe works that rely on tired tropes instead of genuine creativity. (The term is applied as a negative label.)
Variants and Related Words
- Novelistic (adj): relating to the style or characteristics of a novel (neutral or positive).
- Her novelistic approach to the biography made it engaging. (She used narrative techniques typical of fiction.)
- Novelist (n): a writer of novels.
- The novelist avoided novelese, aiming for realistic dialogue. (The writer steered clear of clichés.)
Synonyms
- Pulp fiction style: writing typical of cheap, mass-produced magazines or books.
- Formulaic prose: writing that follows a predictable, often unoriginal pattern.
- Melodramatic writing: exaggerated, emotional language common in low-quality novels.
Related Idioms
"Dime novel writing": a historical term for cheap, sensational fiction, similar to novelese.
- His story reads like dime novel writing — full of improbable heroes and villains. (It resembles low-quality adventure stories.)
"Plot by numbers": a predictable, formulaic plot structure.
- The movie’s script was pure plot by numbers, much like novelese. (The narrative was unoriginal and mechanical.)