Feminist novels bring light to the issues facing women while illustrating that history is mostly shown through a man's point of view. They point out how women can change the status quo. Some of the topics covered include gender bias, suppression, condemnation and torture. For example, the "The Women's Room" by Marilyn French deals with the struggles the main character faces as a woman in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
The gothic novel brings feelings of mystery and terror. Usual settings for these types of novels are places isolated from everyday living such as a run down house or castle. Things in this setting seem unreal causing characters to question their sanity. Events of the story are sometimes disturbing or violent, with characters like ghosts, monsters and magicians present. Villians can be extremely cruel antagonists.
Novels using realism give the reader a picture of life as it is each day. Topics show everyday situations of all wealth classes, ethnicities and genders. Characters speak much like people do in real life, but there is room for speeches with a comedic tone. An omniscient narrator may let readers in on the characters' thoughts or feelings. Endings for realistic novels try to bring back stability as well as presenting a feeling that things are all right. Edith Wharton's "The Age of Innocence" and Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" are both well-known examples of this genre because they represent the flaws as well as the strengths of the work's time period instead of providing nostalgic glimpses into the past.
The romance novel can deal with many variations on the topic of love. There are only two essentials in these stories, a love story where two people fall in love and the relationship that ensues as well as an uplifting ending which offers hope for people in love. Settings can be in all area from a city to rural locations, and time periods can be any time from the past to the future.
Science fiction novels cover changes in the culture that occur due to scientific and technological advances. Through the novel, writers and readers are able to work through their feelings about what is going on in the world as well as the effects it will have on the future. These stories also give readers an understanding as to what is going on in science and technology. Real or partially-accurate facts may feature throughout the narrative. Settings can be different from current human experiences and may even extend to the future.