The Apology of Popular Fiction: Everyday Uses of Literature in Poland

Abstract

The apology of popular fiction Everyday uses of literature in Poland Popular fiction is expelled from literary canons and is usually treated as a form ofludic or emotional relaxation and an escape from daily problems (Nell 1988; Radway 1984). Drawing on the results of my study on Polish readers, I claim that reading popular fiction, as an everyday-life activity, is much more than a simple leisurely activity, and plays a vital role in the way readers cope with their surrounding environment. Employing the framework of phenomenological sociology I argue that reading popular fiction can be described in terms of a rational action undertaken in order to achieve specific pragmatic goals, such as emotional tuning or search for subjectively important information.

Reader characteristics, behavior, and success in fiction book search

“…While the Internet and modern technologies are substantially changing people's reading behavior (Bergstrom & Hoglund, ; Shimray, Chennupati, & Chennupati, ; Zhang & Kudva ), the book still remains the medium of choice for millions of people for leisure reading (Zhang & Kudva, ). In various studies (i.e., Maryl, ; Ooi & Liew, , Usherwood & Toyne, ) fiction readers have tried to articulate their love of reading by describing a range of motives for reading: reading purely for enjoyment, reading to seek specific emotions, relaxation or escape, or reading for personal development and enhancing societal consciousness. Either way, the habit of reading for pleasure is thriving (The Reading Agency, ).…”