Hypothetical* Questions Re: HEAVEN

September 11th, 2008 • Related • Filed Under

HeavenSo, let’s say I was talking to an agent about the combination of HEAVEN and HELL as one novel. And let’s say said agent wanted to know what genre I’d put this in; what books I would compare it to. So, if that actually happened, I figured a good idea would be to ask you, the listeners, what other books/genres/writers that HEAVEN remind you of. Your feedback is appreciated!

* “Hypothetical” means, “we’re pretending it’s fake but it’s really not,” right? … Right?

There Are 52 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by Daniel on 11 September 2008:

    The most obvious one that I can think of would be Neil Gaiman. The Heaven series reminds me of the imagery in American Gods and the Sandman graphic novels. Let me take a look at my library downstairs when I get home and I’ll come up with some others.

  2. Comment by Jeremiah McCoy on 11 September 2008:

    I would go with putting it in the same category as American Gods honestly. It is modern fantasy.

  3. Comment by Brad P. from NJ on 11 September 2008:

    I mean, it’d be something like “modern fantasy”, or “modern myth”, or maybe “Multi- dimensional- afterlife- buddy- book”?

  4. Comment by Ben Stephens on 11 September 2008:

    Tom Holt: http://www.tom-holt.com/

  5. Comment by Trish on 11 September 2008:

    Tough call, it’s very uniquely Mur.
    I’d pick:
    1. Robert Rankin’s Armageddon Trilogy
    2. Neil Gaiman’s “American Gods”
    3. Zelzany’s first few Amber books

    Mostly I’m basing that on a sort of ‘feel’ you have a lot of humor as well as drama, and heavy supernatural elements, but a general lack of reverence and naturalism in with them.

    I am now smacking myself for not coming up with any female authored books immediately… some part of my ‘feminism’ is berating me now.

  6. Comment by Jason R on 11 September 2008:

    Hi Mur,

    I am hypothetically* very excited to hear this!

    As for your question, Heaven reminds me a lot of Neil Gaiman in the way it blends religion and mythology into, essentially, a magical realism story. I guess American Gods would be the specific novel that compares best.

    Sharon Shinn also comes to mind, but that could be because I was rereading some of her stuff recently. I guess the romance angle in Heaven plays to that.

    I’ll keep thinking, but those come to mind off the top of my head.

    *Same definition applies.

  7. Comment by Cecily on 11 September 2008:

    That’s … a really, hard question. The closest thing I can compare it to are some of Neil Gaiman’s recent novels/short fictions: “Anansi Boys”, or “American Gods”.

    So, in that sense, perhaps just boring old “fiction/fantasy” would perhaps be the right slot to start with? This probably doesn’t help one bit.

  8. Comment by Rebecca on 11 September 2008:

    Fiction. :)

    More specific? It’s the kiss of death for a novel, but sci-fi/fantasy.

  9. Comment by Matt on 11 September 2008:

    I would think that it would be generic Literary Fiction/Speculative Fiction. You could compare it to most any after-life story you like. I would say that it is a coming of age story for gods who are learning to take control of their new found godhood.

  10. Comment by Michell Plested on 11 September 2008:

    I’d got with Mythic Fiction. As per Wikipedia’s definition “Though often very loosely based in mythology, it uses familiar mythological personages archetypes(such as tricksters, or the thunderer). This is in contrast to many other forms of fantasy (with the usual exception of fairytale fantasy), such as the works of J. R. R. Tolkien, which generally invent their own legends and folklore, and volunteer entirely new pantheons, or attempt to disguise actual mythology with made-up names. Some examples of mythic fiction:

    Someplace to Be Flying by Charles de Lint
    The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue
    The Antelope Wife by Louise Erdich
    Strandloper by Alan Garner
    Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
    American Gods by Neil Gaiman
    Mythago Wood by Robert Holdstock
    The Limits of Enchantment by Graham Joyce
    The Famished Road by Ben Okri
    Troll, A Love Story by Johanna Sinisalo
    The Wood Wife by Terri Windling “

  11. Comment by Guy on 11 September 2008:

    Go Mur!

    I agree with the modern fantasy/Neil Gaiman vote.

  12. Comment by Jessica on 11 September 2008:

    Towards the end, it takes a pretty solid turn for the “sci-fi/fantasy” genre, I think. But I’m horrible at genre-izing things, so…ignore my opinion?

  13. Comment by Tabatha on 11 September 2008:

    Yeah, speculative fiction ala Neil Gaiman or Eoin Colfer. I love sci-fi fantasy, but this doesn’t really fit. It doesn’t have any of the traditional tropes.

  14. Comment by housel on 11 September 2008:

    I don’t know the answers to your hypotheticals, but YAY!!!!!!
    I <3 MUR!

  15. Comment by Scott on 11 September 2008:

    I have to agree with most of the posters here. Neil Gaiman’s work on “American Gods” and “Anansi Boys” has the same feel that the “Heaven” and “Hell” series did. I would also include “Good Omens” in that list.

  16. Comment by J.C. Hutchins on 11 September 2008:

    Kinda shocked that only Jason R has congratulated Mur on the (totally hypothetical) news that she apparently has an agent! CONGRATS on the HUGE score! As most folks know, getting an agent is often the hardest achievement a novelist will make in his/her career.

    This is terrific news! First PFK in print, then #16 on Amazon … and now a (totally hypothetical) agent! Hot damn, go eagle go!

  17. Comment by Jonathan on 11 September 2008:

    I’ve always been strongly reminded of Stranger in a Strange Land. It’s been years since I read it, so I may be totally misremembering and misrepresenting the book. However, the “everybody’s heaven exists” basis from that novel stuck with me, and Heaven has always felt like a “logical” progression from that starting point. That said, I think the genre is pretty firmly fantasy.

  18. Comment by Tabitha "Tabz" Smith on 11 September 2008:

    I agree with staying away from sci-fi/fantasy, unless your agent thinks that’s a good pick. I’d go for what others have said - Literary Fiction, coming of age.

  19. Comment by Dale on 11 September 2008:

    Mur,

    I definitely agree with the Neil Gaiman “American Gods” and “Anansi Boys” comparisons. I would love to see him blurb about the book, hypothetically speaking of course :-D. It has everything you could want in a book, fantasy, action, history, intrigue, fantastic writing and great characters that you care about.

  20. Comment by DKT on 11 September 2008:

    Definitely when I first heard I thought about American Gods, which seems to be the consensus here. That’s probably the easiest thing to compare it to. I could see Zelzany’s books working too, though.

    Good luck! I can’t wait to hear more :)

  21. Comment by Randy on 11 September 2008:

    Classification might be hard to pin down, so “modern fantasy” might be the easiest.

    Congrats Mur… can’t wait til it is in print.

  22. Comment by Laith Preston on 11 September 2008:

    Mur,

    I concur with modern fantasy/speculative fiction if you have to stick it in a genre. It is a tough call really.

  23. Comment by ViKz Richards on 11 September 2008:

    I think that it could definitely be classified under the heading fantasy or sci-fi or if you want to be posh it might fit under magical realism.

  24. Comment by LeStew on 11 September 2008:

    Having never read “American Gods” or “Anansi Boys” I can’t compare Heaven to them, but the Heaven series reminds me of “Good Omens.” It’s got the magic of Terry Pratchett mixed with drama anyone who has ever been a young person can relate to. The main character reminds me of Buffy. The setting reminds me of Good Omens. And the story telling is pure Mur. I have no other way to describe it. thanks again for the story. and Congrats on the hypothetical!!

  25. Comment by Michell Plested on 11 September 2008:

    Hypothetical Hooray! Go Mur!

  26. Comment by Will on 11 September 2008:

    For its concept, the “Heaven” series has reminded me somewhat of The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis, a story that also takes place in the afterlife. I suppose the comparison ends there, though, since the “Heaven” series explores a lot more religions and faiths than Lewis ever did.

    That’s all I can think to offer at the moment, but I do extend my most heartfelt and hypothetical congratulations on what may or may not be happening for you.

  27. Comment by P.C. Haring on 11 September 2008:

    Hypothetically* speaking, I would also agree with the Gaiman comparison. I’d consider this a modern fantasy, possibly a supernatural fantasy (maybe redundant maybe not).

  28. Comment by Jeff Hite on 11 September 2008:

    Since I am just going to agree with everyone on their suggestions I will just add my hypothetical* Wundervoll!

    I hope you hypothetical* turns to Theory and then you can just move there, because everything works in Theory. Then you will be a world famous author and a house hold name. That would be as I said before wundervoll.

  29. Comment by Rick Stringer on 11 September 2008:

    Hypothetically, I want to say congratulations on your hypothetical agent.

    I tend to agree with the people who call it a modern fantasy. I have not read American Gods, so I really can’t compare it to that one.

    Good luck!

  30. Comment by Sique on 11 September 2008:

    I would say magicpunk, based on the fact that everything runs, esp wastelands under the power of the Gods. If you want me to go traditional on you, magic realism.

  31. Comment by Natalie on 11 September 2008:

    I think these stories fit nicely in the same genres as (average) Christopher Moore’s and Neil Gaiman’s stories. So, what is that? Some sort of cross-genre speculative fiction… fantasy fiction, modern fantasy, mythic fiction, perhaps even “new weird”. Really, I’ve seen this type of story classified in both fantasy and regular fiction.

    As far as specific books/authors go, HEAVEN/HELL reminds me of these:
    Good Omens (Pratchett/Gaiman)
    Ananci Boys (Gaiman)
    A Dirty Job (Moore)
    His Dark Materials Trilogy (Pullman)
    Wee Free Men/Mort/Reaper Man (Pratchett)
    Nick Bantock and Charles de Lint

  32. Comment by Viv on 11 September 2008:

    Not sure where it falls exactly in the fantasy realm, but Piers Anthony has similar themes running through his Incarnates of Immortality series. IIRC, his dealt primarily with Christianity. The variety of religions and mythologies that your stories cover is one of the things that makes it so compelling.

    By the way, I’m *giddy* at the thought of adding this amazing work to my collection someday in the near future! Congratulations!

  33. Comment by Gary on 11 September 2008:

    I was thinking predictive non-fiction. That or Religion, it’s a toss up.

  34. Comment by Angi on 11 September 2008:

    I’m inclined to think neil gaimen comparisons, mythic fiction, modern fantasy, spec fiction are all on the right track. Mythic fiction sounds most on the mark to me.

    And more hypothetical congrats! Had a blast hypothetically celebrating with gin last night, and happy to hypothetically again sometime soon. :)

  35. Comment by Jason R on 11 September 2008:

    Hmm, “His Dark Materials” isn’t a bad comparison, especially if you’re going for the YA market. Though I know HDM really turned off a number of people (myself included) with it’s… well, rather vehement bias. So market-wise, there’s that to consider.

    Like Natalie, I also considered the New Weird connection. But while your writing does remind me in a lot of (very good!) ways of Steph Swainston, I think Heaven and Hell lack the “lurking horror” overtones that to many are a hallmark of New Weird.

    Also, congrats again! :D

  36. Comment by Angi on 11 September 2008:

    ps: this is such an awesome dilemma to have, right? Leaves me wondering why can’t “vertigo” be a genre?

  37. Comment by Casey on 11 September 2008:

    I work in a library, and I’ve thought about this ever since you went to book form with PFK. I personally want Heaven/Hell for the Young Adult section. (note: I’m not the director, but I’m the main RA person and my ‘expertise’/talents lie in sci-fi/fantasy, horror, and Young Adult, and she generally takes my advice on what to get for the collection). It certainly has its place in the fantasy section, but YA would likely also be a viable market.

  38. Comment by Jeff Greiner on 11 September 2008:

    There’s a lot of goodies out there. I might think on a few others, as well. Specifically, I would include C.S. Lewis and the Screwtape Letters.

    As for genre, fantasy? It’s a good description of the story, however, in terms of marketing, I’m not sure that I would market the book towards a fantasy audience.

    It’s a tough call.

  39. Comment by Caitlin on 11 September 2008:

    What about Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman?

  40. Comment by Rick on 11 September 2008:

    Well Heaven stands by its self, but if i had to pick one I would say myth or fantasy.

  41. Comment by Stephanie on 11 September 2008:

    Another vote for “modern fantasy” or just fantasy.

    In my town there is a Chapters, a Canadian big-box bookstore in the same vein as Barnes and Noble. Heaven & Hell would absolutely be in the fantasy section, which lumps all the sub-genres together in its teeny tiny area devoted to science fiction (the first half) and fantasy (the second half).

    And congrats, hypothetical or otherwise! You’re rockin’ these days! Keep it up!

  42. Comment by Matthew Wayne Selznick on 11 September 2008:

    Just call it fantasy. Some folks have suggested Magical Realism, but that’s a pretty specific genre that has connections to South American literature. Don’t call it contemporary fantasy — there’s very little of the contemporary world or setting in the series.

  43. Comment by Jared Kardos on 11 September 2008:

    First off, congrats on the hypothetical agent for Heaven. :)

    Second off, I’d agree with Modern Fantasy/Speculative Fiction.

  44. Comment by Arkle on 11 September 2008:

    The only book that immediately comes to mind when I think about this is Good Omens.

  45. Comment by nuchtchas on 11 September 2008:

    I like the idea that it’s genre is Mur Fiction but..

    Fiction
    feel good fiction?

    I would seriously hesitate to call it sci fi as there is very little science fiction in it, or fantasy since it just does not ring fantasy to me. It is not spiritual though it takes place in many mythological worlds. To me the book is more about relationships then anything else.

  46. Comment by Alphanitrate on 11 September 2008:

    OK just two suggestions come to mind :

    The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson. Just finished it last night. Actually I was comparing it to Heaven while i was reading the characters passage through hell. (Oops SPOILER)

    Amazon doesn’t have a specific listing for it other than “literary”

    The Fables series ( characters from children’s stories escaping and coming to live in our world.

    that’s all i can come up with for now, Except for STORIES THAT ROCK section.

  47. Comment by turbo_e on 11 September 2008:

    Heaven/Hell remind me of Job a Comedy of Justice by RA Heinlein. And that’s clasified as SF.
    Congratulations!

  48. Comment by jeremy on 11 September 2008:

    I would definitely say it belonged to Sci-Fi / Fantasy, and would closely correlate to both American Gods and Anasasi Boys and Good Omens all by Neil Gaiman.
    I for one really hope this hypothetical gets turned into a reality….

  49. Comment by V on 12 September 2008:

    Congrats on getting an agent, Mur! (I read your twitter page.)

  50. Comment by Robert T Gasperson on 12 September 2008:

    Wow. A couple of Days and you have umpteen thousand responses. I was just going to chime in saying that Heaven and Hell should be in the Fantasy Genre.

    The Sandman by Neil Gaiman is the obvious comparison
    I also think it would be close to Peirs Anthony’s Mode Series. Instead of passing through dimanesions like in the Mode Series, your characters pass through different ages of Earth.

    Just my 2 cents.

  51. Comment by Tom on 14 September 2008:

    My reading experience for the Heaven series matches most closely the one when I read Piers Anthony’s Incarnations of Immortality series.
    Thanks for the other readers’ comment, it seems I have a few orders to make for the local book store. :)

  52. Comment by Flying Monkey on 2 October 2008:

    What would I compare it to? I thought Heinlein. More specifically “Job: A Comedy of Justice”.

    I was rather surprised to not see anyone else mention it. Similar journey and themes without seeming to be a copy or a rewrite.

    Great stories, I’ve been enjoying them very much.

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