Skip to main content

What is Special About a Coming-of-age Novel?

A  coming-of-age novel  has distinct traits that set it apart from other genres, primarily through its focus on personal growth and self-discovery. Here’s what makes it unique:

       1.     Focus on Character Development    

   -     Core Theme:     The central theme of a coming-of-age novel is personal transformation. The protagonist, usually a young person, matures through experiences, gaining insight into themselves and the world.

   -     Compared to Other Genres:     While many genres focus on external conflicts (e.g., fantasy battles or mystery puzzles), the coming-of-age novel centers on   internal   conflicts—struggles with identity, morality, and self-understanding.

       2.     Transition from Youth to Adulthood    

   -     Rite of Passage:     The narrative typically covers the protagonist’s journey from childhood or adolescence into adulthood, where they confront challenges that force them to grow emotionally and psychologically.

   -     Compared to Other Genres:     Unlike action-packed genres like thrillers or science fiction, coming-of-age stories emphasize the internal journey over external adventures. The plot revolves around navigating adolescence, rather than grand external stakes.

       3.     Exploration of Identity and Belonging    

   -     Self-Discovery:     The protagonist often grapples with questions of identity, trying to find their place in the world, which includes struggles with social norms, family expectations, or peer pressure.

   -     Compared to Other Genres:     Other genres may include identity crises as subplots, but in coming-of-age, it’s the   main   plot. The focus is on personal development, rather than solving external mysteries or defeating enemies.

       4.     Realistic and Relatable Themes    

   -     Everyday Struggles:     The themes are grounded in real-life experiences such as first love, family dynamics, friendship, and loss of innocence.

   -     Compared to Other Genres:     Fantasy or science fiction novels might focus on more speculative or extraordinary events, while coming-of-age novels tend to keep a more intimate, relatable scope.

       5.     Moral and Ethical Growth    

   -     Learning Hard Lessons:     Characters often confront moral dilemmas, make mistakes, and learn from them. The journey involves understanding the complexities of right and wrong.

   -     Compared to Other Genres:     Other genres like crime fiction or adventure may use moral dilemmas to drive plot, but in coming-of-age stories, ethical growth is a key element of the character's development.

       6.     Emotional Intensity    

   -     Introspective Tone:     These novels often have a reflective or melancholic tone, as the protagonist navigates emotional highs and lows, dealing with confusion, vulnerability, and uncertainty.

   -     Compared to Other Genres:     While other genres (e.g., romance or horror) evoke strong emotions through love or fear, coming-of-age novels focus on emotional depth in relation to personal growth and discovery.

       7.     Cultural and Social Commentary    

   -     Context Matters:     Coming-of-age novels often reflect the protagonist’s personal growth against a backdrop of societal or cultural change. Themes like class, gender, race, or social expectations are explored as part of the character’s development.

   -     Compared to Other Genres:     Social commentary can exist in any genre, but in coming-of-age novels, it’s more integrated into the character’s personal journey of understanding the world.

       8.     Slow-Burn Plot    

   -     Character-Driven:     The plot often unfolds gradually, with more attention to the protagonist’s emotional landscape than to external events or fast-paced action.

   -     Compared to Other Genres:     Genres like thrillers or fantasy may focus on action and fast-paced plots. The pace of a coming-of-age novel is slower, allowing time for introspection and character growth.

Examples of coming-of-age novels that I liked are:

-   The Catcher in the Rye   by J.D. Salinger

-   To Kill a Mockingbird   by Harper Lee

-   The Perks of Being a Wallflower   by Stephen Chbosky


These traits make the coming-of-age genre a deeply personal exploration, focusing on inner change over outer action.

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

A Librarian’s Method for Organizing a Wardrobe: Current, Non-current, or Archive?

I did not set out to fix my wardrobe. I was just tired of negotiating with it every morning. My closet was full, but I wore the same few things. The rest stared back at me like a group project I never agreed to join. I had already tried the usual advice: declutter, be ruthless, imagine an ideal self who attends brunch more often than I do.  None of it stuck. Then I realized the problem was not the clothes. It was the lack of a system.  I am a librarian. When something does not work, I do not add more space. I reclassify. Again, I remind myself that I am a librarian. When something is chaotic, my first thought is NOT “buy more storage.” It is “this needs a system.” My closet did not need more hangers. It needed cataloging. Librarians do not panic about having too many books. They decide where each book belongs:  current , non-current , or archive .  So I tried the same method on my wardrobe. The Library Method, Explained Without the Jargon In libraries: Current ...
Read more

10 Occult Books That Can Be Classified Under LCC G

If you hear the word “occult,” you might imagine dark rooms, candles, and someone whispering Latin badly. But in library science, the occult often sits quietly under LCC Class G — the section for Geography, Anthropology, and Folklore . Why? Because many occult works deal with myth, symbolism, ritual, cultural belief systems, and human attempts to understand the unseen. In other words, they are less about flying broomsticks and more about how people make meaning. Here are ten notable occult books that can reasonably fall under LCC G , especially within folklore (GR), customs (GT), or cultural anthropology. 1. The Golden Bough – James George Frazer Frazer’s massive comparative study of myth and religion explores magic, ritual sacrifice, fertility rites, and sacred kings. It is not a spell book. It is anthropology with a dramatic flair. Why LCC G? Because it analyzes myth and ritual across cultures. This comfortably sits in folklore and anthropology (GR). 2. The Hero with a Thousand Face...
Read more

5 Books That Make You Better at Getting Things Done

1. The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz This book says energy is more important than time. Weird, right? But it makes sense. The authors say we should work like athletes — focus hard for a bit, then take real breaks to rest and recharge. Instead of running on empty all week, you learn to build routines that give you energy, not drain it. Basically, it’s saying: stop acting like a robot and start acting like a human who takes naps. 2. Getting Things Done by David Allen If your brain feels like a messy desk full of sticky notes, this book is your cleaning guide. David Allen teaches you how to put every task, idea, or reminder somewhere safe — so your mind can finally relax. Once you’ve written everything down, you can actually focus on what’s in front of you instead of wondering what you forgot. It’s for people who want to feel calm, in control, and slightly smug about their tidy to-do lists. 3. The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker Peter Drucker is...
Read more

3 Easy Ways to Instantly Improve Your Handwriting

Handwriting doesn’t have to be a lost art, even in today’s digital world. Whether you’re taking notes, writing a letter, or just doodling in your journal, legible handwriting is a skill worth mastering. Let’s start with three quick tips to make your writing more readable: 1. Pay Attention to Spacing Spacing is one of the most overlooked aspects of legibility. It’s tempting to let your letters and words run together, but that’s the quickest way to turn your notes into an indecipherable mess. Make a conscious effort to leave some space between each letter and word. This breathing room allows the reader to clearly distinguish one word from the next. Slow down, and you’ll find your spacing naturally improves. 2. Hold the Pen Correctly You might not think much about how you hold your pen, but it plays a big role in your handwriting. Too tight a grip, and your hand tires quickly, causing shaky lines. Too loose, and you’ll struggle to control the pen. Aim for a relaxed but steady grip that le...
Read more

Why Misclassification Happens in Library Classification Systems

Libraries are designed to create order. Knowledge, however, is not.  Misclassification does not always mean someone made a mistake. Often, it reveals deeper structural tensions in how information is organized. Below are four core reasons it happens. 1. Interdisciplinary Content The book genuinely belongs in more than one class. Modern scholarship does not respect neat boundaries. A single book might combine: Psychology and economics Technology and ethics History and sociology Health and philosophy Library classification systems, including LCC, require one primary location. A physical book cannot sit in three places at once. So the cataloger must decide which subject dominates. That choice reduces complexity. Interdisciplinary books are not rare exceptions anymore. They are increasingly the norm. Classification systems, however, were built in a time when disciplines were more clearly separated. The system expects tidy categories. Authors often deliver intellectual hybrids. 2. Select...
Read more

Weekly Facebook Reel Plan 008: Pretending to be Tourists for a Day

Creating a one-week reel plan around the theme "Pretending to be Tourists for a Day" sounds like a fun and engaging way to connect with your audience. Here's a table that outlines the plan: Day of the Week Concept Execution Monday Local Landmarks Visit local landmarks and take photos as if you're seeing them for the first time. Tuesday Food Tour Sample local cuisine from various eateries and discuss the flavors and textures. Wednesday Public Transport Adventure Ride the local public transport and show the experience, including buying tickets. Thursday Street Performers Find street performers and capture their acts, maybe even join in for a collaborative moment. Friday Souvenir Shopping Visit local souvenir shops and showcase unique items, discussing their cultural significance. Saturday Museum Hopping Go to a local museum and take photos of interesting exhibits, discussing their history. Sunday Scenic Spots Visit a local park or beach and capture the natural beauty, p...
Read more

A Library Can Help Remove Bias and Prejudice in the Community

  Human library as a concept for your makerspace? Here are some information about this kind of library and what can be achieved by organizing something like it. We are not Alone In This Advocacy The Human Library Project is actually a world-wide advocacy made up of various organizations. So, check out what has been done and what the future holds for this project at www.humanlibrary.org . What is a Human Library It is a safe space for interesting characters and those interested in them to learn and interact. Simply put, readers read a person rather than a book. Thus, a reader initiates the question and answer session under the watchful eye of a marshall, who monitors the interaction to ensure the human book’s safety and security. What is the Goal of a Human Library? It transforms a book library into a safe place for healthy discussion about controversial topics with the ultimate goal of unjudging someone. Readers can read more than one book per session, depending on the availabili...
Read more

Understanding Archives in an Organizational Context

Archives are like treasure chests for any organization, holding the key to its history and memory through various documents and records. These are not just any documents but are specifically preserved because they hold value for understanding the organization's operations, history, and culture. In this blog post, we will explore what archives are in an organizational context and why they are essential for maintaining a connection to the past and a guide for the future. What Are Archives? In an organizational setting, archives are collections of records that are preserved because of their historical, legal, or administrative significance. These records can be anything from official correspondence and meeting minutes to photographs, videos, and even emails that document the activities and decisions of the organization.  If you are a records manager and you want a stress-free way to keep tabs on your organization's archives, here is a good log book especially designed for you:  h...
Read more

Many Kinds of Librarian Jobs

  What are the types of librarians? Are there more than one type? It may seem like a one-size-fits-all profession, but many kinds exist. Each kind has responsibilities unique to it. Academic librarians These types of librarians are those who are in charge of college and university libraries. It is rare for academic librarians to work alone because the workload is just too much. Library aides, internet staff, catalogers, book binders, and even abstractors and indexers are often found in tertiary education libraries. Usually, there is a hierarchy in an academic library; there is a head librarian and one or several other librarians. Academic librarians may also enjoy benefit of having student assistants. Public librarians These types of librarians are those who are in charge of public libraries (city, municipal, provincial, and congressional libraries). They’re considered elite in the profession because snagging a job in a public library means enjoying the benefits of working for the ...
Read more

Ilokano Folklore Art: Fabulous Traditions with Modern Interpretations

Ilokano folklore art refers to the artistic expressions and creative representations of the cultural stories, myths, legends, and traditions of the Iloko people, who are an ethnolinguistic group native to the northern Philippines, particularly the Ilocos Region.  This art encompasses various forms of artistic expression, including visual arts, literature, music, dance, and even crafts.  Visual Arts : Ilokano folklore is often depicted in visual arts, including paintings, sculptures, and textiles. Artists may create images of legendary figures such as Lam-ang (a hero in Ilokano folklore) or scenes from traditional stories and myths.  Literature : Ilokano folklore has been passed down through generations through oral tradition, and many of these stories have been documented in written form. Traditional epics, chants, and folk tales often serve as inspiration for Ilokano writers and poets.  Music and Dance : Ilokano folklore is also expressed through music and dance. ...
Read more