What are Character-Driven novels and Plot-Driven novels?

Question

What are character-driven novels and plot-driven novels? What are their differences? Is it true that normally thriller and mystery novels are plot-driven novels whereas literature novels are character-driven novels? If so, why Michael Connelly's novels such as The Lincoln Lawyer are considered a character-driven novel? As far as I know, his novels are thriller novels.

Answer 1

well it is not very complicated, really.

plot-driven novels are read primarily for the plot. Character-driven novels are read primarily for the characters. There is nothing to prevent character-driven novels from being thrillers though. There is really no such thing as a purely plot or purely character driven novel. most are a combination of the two.

i would consider these terms as general descriptions of relative tendencies in a text. is the main character a rounded, 3-dimension individual or a "type" whose function in the text is to perform actions in the novel? Do you find yourself feeling emotional investment in the character--do you root for him to succeed or feel sad if she fails? Or do you just tear through the pages at a frantic pace trying to find out what happens next, with none of the individual characters leaving a deep impression?

there are no hard and fast rules in literature, so be sure to take such categorizations with a grain of salt or two.

Answer 2

The words character and plot are rather self explaining. Plot is to do with the story and how it plays out. character is about the players in the story. Even if it is a thriller but the same main character is all through the work then it is a character driven novel. A true plot novel can change characters and still maintain the same plot. Some are both and that usually gives them a little better chance of selling. The Lincoln lawyer is a character driven novel because it centers around the lawyer even if it is a thriller and has a good plot it still is character driven.

Answer 3

A plot driven novel typically has more going on in the story. What I mean is that the author spends most of their time delving in to what is happening. descriptions of Events, back story events, etc. Take The Da Vinci Code for example. the whole book is basically a chain of events laid out before us to examine.

A character driven novel spends more time dealing with how the events are affecting the main character. There is also typically a character arc where the he is forever changed by the events of the book. That's what happens.

Answer 4

various years in the past, i'd have mentioned a plot-pushed novel. Now, I firmly say character-pushed. This one novel i attempted to examine would have been so much better had the characters been no longer even likable yet a minimum of relatable. It felt like the author merely caught them in there to fulfill their plot. I by no potential finished that novel, after many tries; and have confidence me, i had to by using fact the author substitute into SO nice and stressful-working. That mentioned, i do no longer choose the plot of a character-pushed novel to wander aimlessly.