Action fiction is a
literary genre
A literary genre is a category of literature. Genres may be determined by literary technique, tone, content, or length (especially for fiction). They generally move from more abstract, encompassing classes, which are then further sub-divided in ...
that focuses on stories that involve high-stakes, high-energy, and fast-paced events. This genre includes a wide range of sub-genres, such as
spy novels,
adventure
An adventure is an exciting experience or undertaking that is typically bold, sometimes risky. Adventures may be activities with danger such as traveling, exploring, skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving, river rafting, or other extreme ...
stories, tales of terror and intrigue ("
cloak and dagger") and
mysteries. This kind of story utilizes
suspense, the tension that is built up when the reader wishes to know how the
conflict between the
protagonist and
antagonist is going to be resolved or what the solution to the puzzle of a
thriller is.
Genre fiction
Action fiction is a form of
genre fiction
Genre fiction, also known as popular fiction, is a term used in the book-trade for fictional works written with the intent of fitting into a specific literary genre, in order to appeal to readers and fans already familiar with that genre.
A num ...
whose subject matter is characterized by emphasis on exciting
action
Action may refer to:
* Action (narrative), a literary mode
* Action fiction, a type of genre fiction
* Action game, a genre of video game
Film
* Action film, a genre of film
* ''Action'' (1921 film), a film by John Ford
* ''Action'' (1980 fil ...
sequences. This does not always mean they exclude character development or story-telling. Action fiction is related to other forms of
fiction, including
action film
Action film is a film genre in which the protagonist is thrust into a series of events that typically involve violence and physical feats. The genre tends to feature a mostly resourceful hero struggling against incredible odds, which include l ...
s,
action games and analogous media in other formats such as
manga and
anime
is hand-drawn and computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japanese, (a term derived from a shortening of ...
. It includes martial arts action, extreme sports action, car chases and vehicles, suspense action, and action
comedy
Comedy is a genre of fiction that consists of discourses or works intended to be humorous or amusing by inducing laughter, especially in theatre, film, stand-up comedy, television, radio, books, or any other entertainment medium. The term o ...
, with each focusing in more detail on its own type and flavor of action. It is usually possible to tell from the creative style of an action sequence, the emphasis of an entire work, so that, for example, the style of a combat sequence will indicate whether the entire work can be classified as action adventure, or a martial work. Action is mainly defined by a central focus on any kind of exciting movement.
List of action novels
* ''
58 Minutes'' (1987)
* ''
The Bourne Identity'' (1980)
* ''
The Chinaman'' (1992)
* ''
The Equalizer'' (2014)
* ''
First Blood'' (1972)
* ''
Man on Fire'' (1980)
* ''
Nothing Lasts Forever'' (1979)
See also
*
Action-adventure game
*
List of genres
*
Pace (narrative)
In literature, pace, or pacing is the speed at which a story is told—not necessarily the speed at which the story takes place. The number of words needed to write about a certain event does not depend upon how much time the event takes to happ ...
*
Spy fiction
*
Thriller novel
Notes
References
*
External links
*
{{Narration, state=collapsed
Literary genres
Fiction-writing mode
Narratology