In Franco Moretti’s “Abstract Models for Literary History – 1,” he wonders why novel genres seem to appear and disappear almost all at once, usually during a space of 25-30 years. Before he even made the connection to generations, I was yelling that word from the sidelines. However, he quickly discards the idea that this pattern could be related to generations because it would mean that “dynamic destablizations” would regularly happen ever 25-30 years.

I can’t say I fully understand everything Moretti is arguing here, but when I think about our current times and genre fads, I have to say that even without all the charts and analysis Moretti has presented us with, I recognize a distinct generational relationship to genres.

Take the vampire craze for example. Although slate.com would argue that society has basically been in a constant vampire craze since the 1960’s, their interactive graph (of which I have taken screenshots for your convenience) seems to show me that vampire novels in particular really took off in the 90’s.

(click pictures to embiggen. http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/recycled/2009/11/the_garlic_years.html)

Many sources I could find (including Time.com) say the vampire years are not over yet. And this makes perfect sense because, if the vampire craze started in 1991 and might last 30 years, we’ve still got around three more years to go. But perhaps we should consider the true start of the era to be that supreme peak in 2006. Either way, we’re not out of the garlic patch yet, but in my experience, people have begun to really look down on vampire novels as a cliche and overdone genre. I was actually surprised to find it hasn’t quite died out yet, but I’m sure it’s heading to a quick grave.

I’ve felt this same dissatisfaction with the over-popularity of dystopian novels. Specifically dystopian YA romance, because electricliterature.com reminded me that dystopias have been around for quite a while. Still, I think dystopian novels will soon be on their way out after a disenchantment period of society as a whole. I think right now it’s mostly hipsters who are disenchanted, but with these novels over-saturating popular fiction, I think it’ll be only a matter of time.

What does this have to do with generations? I’m glad you asked. I grew up thinking vampire books were lame because it’s what the older generation liked. I think every generation has a general disdain for what every other generation likes. I dislike my parent’s music, and I also dislike the new shows on the Disney channel. My generation was the one that started really liking YA dystopian romance (I still like it, to be honest. It hasn’t died down yet), but I bet those kids who watch those Disney shows I hate dislike YA dystopian romance. I actually had to explain the genre to a cousin a generation older than me who didn’t understand why there was such a craze around it.

I think it’s just part of every generation’s identity, and when that generation is no longer the teens and 20-somethings that are the spotlight for what’s in vogue at the present time, the things that generation likes also get booted off the “cool seat.”