Upbeat Literary Fiction

Marianne Goss, a freelance writer in Chicago, has begun making a list of upbeat literary fiction. You can access her ongoing list here.

It is an interesting point, that literary fiction need not always be dark. I never subscribed to the belief that great literature needs to be depressing. This is similar to the absurd argument that you can only be a good artist if you suffer. (Although, for the record, personally, I do prefer darker books.)

Goss' list contains some wonderful award-winning novels that will leave you feeling better about the world. And we could all use a list like that.