Friday, September 28, 2012

The Thrill Of Psychological Novels For Readers

By Patrice McCoy


Psychological novels can be defined as works where less emphasis is placed on the outer and visible actions of the character. Special attention is paid to the thoughts, emotions and feelings involving character in question. They not only tell the order in which the events occur, but also what drove the actions of that character. The external actions of a character are a direct result of their mental and emotional state.

Writing a psychological novel involves a thorough investigation of involuntary and unconscious aspects of the human mind. It calls for an analysis concerning mental state of the character which manifests itself in their personality and clearly shows the inner moral conflicts that they deal with. The writers therefore delve into the complex nature involving human being, and the moral and spiritual conflicts that affect them.

Several techniques are used by psychosomatic novel authors to illustrate the internal state and emotions of the character. These include internal monologues, flashbacks and stream of conscious technique. The authors present a blend with mental process possessed by fictional characters usually as unpunctuated form of interior monologue. They give the characters point of view by writing their thought process which differs from dramatic monologue where speaker addresses the audience in third person.

These techniques show the working of the human mind and give the reader a chance to experience the character's private thoughts . A variety of issues that affect the human race are addressed including political, social, emotional and spiritual aspects. This helps the readers to comprehend and empathize with the character.

The human mind deals with different issues, such as, distorted views on reality, internal conflicts as well as lunacy. Authors of these books apply their skill to address these issues by helping the reader see the mental aspects of both the antagonists and protagonists in the story, and the internal conflicts and emotional issues on which the story is based. The book could either be a horror, thriller suspense or mystery novel.

The tale of Genji written by an author named Murasaki Shikibu, is considered to be the first psychosomatic novel. This book was written in the 11th century, in the Far East country. However, the writing of these books can be followed back to the author, Giovanni Boccaccio with his written piece of work entitled Elegia di Madonna Fiamemetta. William Shakespeare's Hamlet is a characteristic example of mental inscription in dramatic form, while Samuel Richardson's Pamela is a key example of a mental novel.

Key contributors to the art of the books discussed in the USA include Edith Wharton, Henry James and Arthur Miller. Things Fall Apart written by Chinua Achebe, The Red and the Black by Stendhal, The bell jar by Sylvia Path and Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes have received recognition as the most outstanding done classics. The new age mental novel is considered to have originated from the publishing of Knut Hamsum, a Nobel laureate.

Enthusiastic readers are keen to read page after page, novel after novel, captured by the suspense produced by the action, stimulating questions and the involvement of the human mind in these psychological novels. They are definitely exciting and gripping to read




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