The Greatest Literature by Genre
A genre in the broadest definition is just a kind of something. When that something is literature, it indicates any of the categories that written works can be divided into. This may include a literary category for refined works, but usually readers and booksellers reserve the term "genre" for popular fiction more narrowly focused on specific elements of literature.
So a story in the mystery genre is expected to focus on the solving of a mystery. A narrative in the science fiction genre usually focuses on speculation involving science and technology. A work in the horror genre presents material intended to horrify the reader. And so on.
Genres can be further divided into subgenres that tighten the focus even more. So a science fiction novel speculating on a dismal future is classed in the dystopian subgenre. One that speculates on what the world might be like if past events had happened differently is in the alternative history subgenre.
Note also that these genres and subgenres can overlap, so you may find the same title on two or more of these Greatest lists.
So far, thirteen such lists have been created:
Alternative History—featuring the greatest works of alternate or alternative history fiction.
Crime and Mystery—featuring the greatest major works of crime, detective and mystery fiction.
Crime and Mystery Stories—featuring the greatest short stories of crime, detective and mystery fiction.
Fantasy—featuring the greatest major works of fantasy fiction.
Fantasy Series—featuring the greatest series of fantasy novels.
Fantasy Stories—featuring the greatest short stories of fantasy fiction.
Historical Fiction—featuring the greatest works of historical fiction.
Horror Fiction—featuring the greatest works of horror literature.
Romance Fiction—featuring the greatest works of romance literature.
Science Fiction—featuring the greatest major works of speculative or science fiction.
Science Fiction Series—featuring the greatest series of speculative or science fiction novels.
Science Fiction Stories—featuring the greatest short stories of speculative or science fiction.
Thriller—featuring the greatest works of thrilling fiction.
More are in the works.
