Slice of life novels/stories without conflict?

Kitty Pryde · Apr 22, 2009

So over the weekend I read 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' by Alexander McCall Smith (because I'm enjoying the tv miniseries they made based on the books). The entire first chapter consists of the main character talking about how Africa is great, and she really likes Africa, and Africa is beautiful, and she likes to drink tea and hang out on the porch, and she is the only lady detective in Botswana, and being a detective is awesome, and she's just deliriously happy and everyone is her friend. There is not even a hint of displeasure or conflict or negative emotion or tragic past or anything that would possibly need resolution. It goes against everything I have ever read about crafting a plot.

But it works. It totally works. The reader has sort of a, 'Wow! A lady detective in Africa! How neat!' reaction and is compelled to read further. The book was pretty enjoyable. He's up to book 10 in the series, so lots of people enjoy it too. One bad consequence of being conflict-free is that the story comes off a bit too twee and adorable.

Later in the book he talks about the MC's tragic past, but he doesn't show her as being damaged by it or hung up on it. At the beginning of Chapter Two we see the first case for the detective agency. The MC merrily agrees to solve the case, sits around thinking about it (but not worrying!) and drinking tea, and then solves it all in one go--no failure, no false starts, no getting discouraged. The rest of the book goes the same way. If any character has any sadness or anger, it is quickly fixed on the first try. (the tv version actually introduces ongoing arcs of character unrest, conflict, failure, and trouble that aren't present in the book.)

Anyways, what's going on here? How does McCall succeed in a plot-without-conflict? Any other examples of similar books without conflict?

Ctairo · Apr 22, 2009

You've piqued my curiosity re: the books. Enjoyable goes a long way when it comes to entertainment.

As for the HBO take (nutshell version): the characters, situations and language are draws. It's fresh to my eyes and ears, the heroine isn't a traditional one, the setting is novel.

dawinsor · Apr 22, 2009

I think that book has conflict but of a quieter kind. Mm Ramotswe struggles to take control of her own life and earn her living in an unconventional way. She triumphs through her intelligence and experience, though she occasionally finds she's not as smart as she thinks she is.

Kitty Pryde · Apr 22, 2009

dawinsor said:
I think that book has conflict but of a quieter kind. Mm Ramotswe struggles to take control of her own life and earn her living in an unconventional way. She triumphs through her intelligence and experience, though she occasionally finds she's not as smart as she thinks she is.

Thing is, in the book version, she doesn't struggle. I tried to find more subtle struggles she might face, but she doesn't really have any.The book opens when the detective agency is small but successful already. She's blissfully happy as an independent woman at work, and a single gal at home. There isn't a doubt in her mind or a shred of displeasure in her heart. Later on, she changes her mind and thinks it might be okay to be married. There is no struggle to reach this decision whatsoever.

Like, twice someone makes a slightly skeptical remark about a 'lady' detective, and she laughs and brushes them off, because she is ever so satisfied with her lot in life. I can't even say she's Pollyanna-ish, because no bad stuff ever happens to her.

When she solves the mystery of the cheating husband, she kinda screws it up, and she gets shouted at. But she still thinks she's right and the customer is wrong, and totally shrugs off the criticism. Again, no conflict, no consequence.

nevada · Apr 22, 2009

wouldnt read them. wouldn't even make it past the first chapter. I detest, literally detest slice of life, no conflict stuff.

ideagirl · Apr 22, 2009

Kitty Pryde said:
So over the weekend I read 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' by Alexander McCall Smith (because I'm enjoying the tv miniseries they made based on the books). ... There is not even a hint of displeasure or conflict or negative emotion or tragic past or anything that would possibly need resolution. It goes against everything I have ever read about crafting a plot.

But it works. It totally works. The reader has sort of a, 'Wow! A lady detective in Africa! How neat!' reaction and is compelled to read further. ...
Anyways, what's going on here? How does McCall succeed in a plot-without-conflict?

Here is a big and wonderful secret: conflict is NOT the be-all and end-all of storytelling. Here's what Ursula K. Le Guin has to say on the topic (and she should know!):

http://www.ursulakleguin.com/SteeringCraft_57B.html

Madison · Apr 22, 2009

nevada said:
wouldnt read them. wouldn't even make it past the first chapter. I detest, literally detest slice of life, no conflict stuff.

Oooh, don't write them off. They're truly delightful books. I read them a few years ago, but I don't remember them being as conflict-less as they're being described. They're more easy-going, armchair mysteries - hardly hardboiled - but full of their own problems and character development that I found relaxing and enjoyable to read. Again, it was a few years ago, but I felt that Mm Ramotswe was a believable character who faced both internal and external challenges.

To the thread question though, I think McCall succeeds, as people have been saying, because a) Mm Ramotswe is a unique and interesting narrator, b) the setting is unusual and vivid, and c) McCall keeps pumping out well-written segments...

Sage · Apr 22, 2009

I couldn't get past the first chapter when I started the first one a while ago, but I can't remember what my reason was. My sister loves them.

eyeblink · Apr 22, 2009

I can't comment about this particular novel as I haven't read it, but even "slice of life" novels have conflicts and plots - the conflict is more likely to be an internal one but the protagonist's situation is still different at the end than it was at the beginning.

I found Robert McKee's book Story quite enlightening - it's aimed particularly at screenwriters, but every writer of narrative fiction should read it. Of particular relevance to this thread is what he says about the different types of plot, in this case "miniplot".

backslashbaby · Apr 22, 2009

I haven't read the novel mentioned, either.

I probably have more questions about this topic than answers

But take a fascinating memoir, turn it into fiction - sans plot - and I'm still your reader. Maybe I have an unusual fascination with small slices of life compared to other people. But why do people read others' blogs and things?

I couldn't say that it sells, or is good fiction, but I can't be the only one who enjoys reading it

I wrote a piece, fiction based on reality, that described how things were in my town compared to how they used to be in my grandmother's day. There was no plot, really - anecdotes at best. I got great responses from my target audience, and they said it reminded them of their childhood and their town. My intent was just that - memories & interesting anecdotes. And it suceeded. I'm glad I wrote it, but I don't know if there is a market for that sort of thing.

(Maybe there should be...)

Raphee · Apr 22, 2009

I like slice of life novels, if done well.

maestrowork · Apr 22, 2009

Don't knock slice of life. It's a legit market, albeit niche. Many people enjoy SoL stories, as long as the characters are engaging and the stories entertaining. Not everyone needs conflicts and resolutions in every story.

virtue_summer · Apr 22, 2009

maestrowork said:
Don't knock slice of life. It's a legit market, albeit niche. Many people enjoy SoL stories, as long as the characters are engaging and the stories entertaining. Not everyone needs conflicts and resolutions in every story.

If there is literally no conflict at all then not only do I doubt the characters could be engaging but I also wouldn't call it Slice of Life. I wouldn't call it anything to do with life. Life is fraught with conflict. I don't know a single person who doesn't deal with conflict on a daily basis, whether it's an external problem they have to figure out how to solve or an internal struggle over some issue. Conflicts don't have to be life threatening issues. As to the reason the characterization would be flat, that's because you really get to know people when you see the issues they deal with and how they interact with others. A person can be happy and still deal with conflict. The fact that they don't let everything get to them is their response to conflict and it shows their character. Without the conflict to respond to they will never be real people. They certainly wouldn't have relationships with anyone else since relationships inherently are going to involve conflict (no two human beings are always going to want the same things at the same time).

Usula K. Le Guin in the link provided in this thread even defines story as requiring a change. Changes can't occur without someone somewhere first realizing a change is needed which requires a conflict. Small things qualify. A woman thinking she'd like to make a milkshake but finding she has no blender is encountering a conflict between her desire and her circumstances that causes her to make the small change of buying a blender, or deciding she'll go without, or have something else instead. I seriously don't understand how anyone could write a story of any kind without conflict unless they were writing about a utopian fantasy world and I think it would be the most boring story on Earth (and the farthest from reality).

motormind · Apr 22, 2009

maestrowork said:
Don't knock slice of life. It's a legit market, albeit niche. Many people enjoy SoL stories, as long as the characters are engaging and the stories entertaining. Not everyone needs conflicts and resolutions in every story.

Slice of life stories do have conflict though, but they are more on the level of ordinary, everyday occurrences. Novels in this fashion are usually series of short stories describing such little conflicts.

maestrowork · Apr 22, 2009

Of course real life has conflicts -- should I get a latte or a frappacino? I need to go to the bank and pick up my child at the same time. Gym or Cheesecake Factory? By conflicts I mean the traditional fictional conflicts such as good vs. evil, life and death situations, or dramatized friction.

Also, even if there are conflicts, there may not be any resolution. Or the resolution is not consequential of whatever happens next. The conflicts and resolutions may not do anything to drive the "plot." They just are.

Linda Adams · Apr 23, 2009

I haven't read the books, but doesn't she solve a crime in them? That's a conflict right there.

Bufty · Apr 23, 2009

Of course there's conflict, Kitty - she's a detective with cases to solve, isn't she?

And if there's always something interesting happening, that will keep readers interested.

Ken · Apr 23, 2009

... have never read a book that didn't have any conflict at all but some have had comparatively little and I didn't mind that at all. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen was one, which was a delight. So were a number of nature novels I've read that were enjoyable just for the descriptions of the forrests and woodland animals. It was just pleasant to be transported to these environs for a few hours, similar to taking a hike in the woods

I'm not your typical reader, though. Most readers want conflict and lots of it, I'm guessing by what's on the shelves.

Rushie · Apr 23, 2009

This reductionism reflects a culture that inflates aggression and competition while cultivating ignorance of other behavioral options.

This reveals her agenda. She just doesn't like the word "conflict" so she renames it "change". But change, by definition, is an opposition of (conflict with) something - the past.

unicornjam · Apr 23, 2009

I've never read the books, but they sound like something you'd read if you're down and just want some nonstop fluff.

But I do want to see the TV show now.

Claudia Gray · Apr 23, 2009

Would you consider the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books to be cozies? I've never read them (this series, I mean -- I have read cozies), but that's what the description sounds like to me: Cozy mysteries with an unusual and rich setting.

Cozies are often free of the more traditional kinds of conflict in a novel; the engine of the story is solving the mystery. A great cozy sets itself apart with compelling characters, an absorbing setting and good detective work.

dawinsor · Apr 23, 2009

What I liked about The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency was the unexpectedness of it. In many books, you could pause at some point and predict what was going to happen or even be said next. This book surprised me constantly.

Kitty Pryde · Apr 23, 2009

Linda Adams said:
I haven't read the books, but doesn't she solve a crime in them? That's a conflict right there.

Bufty said:
Of course there's conflict, Kitty - she's a detective with cases to solve, isn't she?

She does solve crimes. Here's how: 1. Someone comes to her with a problem. 2. She sits around drinking tea and pondering the problem. 3. She gets in her van, drives somewhere, and finds exactly the information she needs without running into any obstacles whatsoever or following any dead ends. 4. She very easily rights the wrong that has been done to her client.

If she encounters any small amount of friction or trouble, it is righted immediately. She is always happy. She never has difficulty solving cases. Her personal life is not perfect, but she is happy and completely at peace with it. She doesn't change as a result of outside forces, either in the short or long term. She doesn't undergo subtle changes of the spirit or anything.

But as I said, it totally works!

ClaudiaGray said:
Would you consider the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books to be cozies? I've never read them (this series, I mean -- I have read cozies), but that's what the description sounds like to me: Cozy mysteries with an unusual and rich setting.

Cozies are often free of the more traditional kinds of conflict in a novel; the engine of the story is solving the mystery. A great cozy sets itself apart with compelling characters, an absorbing setting and good detective work.

From what I know a cozy has to be 1. low key/gentle/without violence and 2. set in an enclosed place, like an English manor. So it's not really a cozy, because Mma Ramotswe has to travel all over the place, out into the bush, over to South Africa, and what have you. Agatha Christie writes cozies, right? They have a lot of conflict--everyone has their own agenda to pursue and the detective has to struggle against the others and figure out who's lying and why and who slept with the gardener and who poisoned the old man's tea and whatnot.

Claudia Gray · Apr 23, 2009

I don't know that I would consider Agatha Christie a cozy writer. The Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot books sometimes border into that territory, but she has other books (like DESTINATION UNKNOWN) that break the cozy mold considerably.

And I think the definition of "enclosed place" isn't only a single setting, like a manor -- you see cozy series set all in the same town, or all in certain subcultures, so possibly the African setting fits. I don't really know enough about cozies or this one series to judge.

Quossum · Apr 23, 2009

ClaudiaGray said:
Cozies are often free of the more traditional kinds of conflict in a novel; the engine of the story is solving the mystery. A great cozy sets itself apart with compelling characters, an absorbing setting and good detective work.

Good point. I read to my husband while we drive places (I'm "Books on Tape--LIVE!") and there are a couple of series of cozies that we read. To us, the most compelling thing about these is the character development. We feel like we get to "know" these characters: we recognize them as soon as they speak, we know what they would do in a given situation--it's almost as fun as sitting and gossiping about close friends. Oh, and then there's some murder or other to solve, of course.

--Q

Slice of life novels/stories without conflict?

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