Thoughtful Thursday: Favorite Literary Tropes

Thoughtful Thursday
It is time for Thoughtful Thursday and the bookish questions that pop up while I am reading. Please share your thoughts on the bookish question of the week. I am curious to hear what you have to say! There are no wrong answers. Questions about Thoughtful Thursday or future Thoughtful Thursday posts? Check out my Thoughtful Thursday section. Alright, on to the question!


What are some of your favorite literary tropes?

I know that we all get a bit frustrated when the same literary tropes (common motifs used in books) get used again and again. At the same time, there are some tropes that I love to pieces, and I would read a book if the book blurb promised me a beloved literary trope. I have been reading a lot of books recently with some of my favorite literary tropes, so I thought I would share some of them with you.


  • Modern-day, contemporary character travels to a fantastical world: I would love to visit a fantasy realm (maybe not Westeros from Song of Ice and Fire), so I eat books up that use this trope.
    • Examples: Harry Potter series by JK Rowling and The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
  • Feisty heroine who bucks the system: I live vicariously though strong female characters who are quick witted and can banter with the best of them.
    • Examples: Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger and Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C Wrede
  • Criminal protagonists: I love cheering for the villain, especially when the villain is pulling off a heist.
    • Examples: The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton and Gentleman Bastard series by Scott Lynch
  • Secret/magical boarding schools: I think secret/magical boarding schools are fabulous, and I always wanted to attend one.
    • Examples: Finishing School series by Gail Carriger and Harry Potter series by JK Rowling
  • Unreliable narrators: When an unreliable narrator is written well, s/he can really make a story more intriguing/mysterious/thrilling!
    • Examples: Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie and Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

Now it is your turn! What are some of your favorite literary tropes?




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