Cult Fiction: a Definition, a Concise History and an Analysis of its Place in Literature

Abstract

A definition of the concept cult fiction, as well as a concise history covering three centuries and an analysis of its place in literature. The main theorists who have academically written about cult fiction are discussed, and three novels are given as illustrations. These novels are Goethe's The Sorrows of Young Werther, H.P. Lovecraft's The Call of Cthulhu and Charles Bukowski's Pulp. Finally, Pierre Bourdieu's theory of distinction and dynamicism is used to determine the place of cult fiction in literature.