Intimacy, Passion, and Aggression: Exploring Thematic Elements
The New Adult (NA) genre, a publishing phenomenon originating in the US and gaining ground in Germany in the late 2000s, is now generating significant revenue in the German book market. Publisher giants such as Carlsen and dtv have expanded their portfolios to cater to this emerging demographic. At the Frankfurt Book Fair, a new hall has been allocated exclusively for NA romances, spanning 8,000 additional square meters adorned with eye-catching, shimmering covers.
Author Anabelle Stehl, who is garnering acclaim in the NA genre, explains the genre's appeal to her elderly relative as "It's about love, for a younger audience." The novels primarily feature characters in their early twenties, although not limited to, and the narrative often revolves around self-discovery, academia, or launching a career. Unlike traditional Young Adult (YA) literature, which focuses on first love and high school struggles, NA delves deeper into more mature themes, including subsequent romantic relationships and sexuality.
Stehl further elaborates that the intensity of the sexual content in the books can be gauged by its 'Spice Level,' determined on a scale of 1-5 chili peppers by readers. Unlike YA novels that usually end with the first kiss, NA doesn't shy away from depicting intimate scenes.
New Adult literature, although a relatively new concept in German publishing, has shown remarkable potential as it resonates with the country's rich literary tradition, particularly in subjects relating to personal development and moral growth as portrayed in the Bildungsroman genre. However, NA stands out by immersing readers in the nuanced complexities of young adult life—confronting university, career challenges, serious romantic relationships, and the transition from dependence to independence.
Incorporating mature themes and irreproachable honesty in tackling the trials of early adulthood, NA offers a unique blend of German literary traditions and contemporary concerns, making it a compelling and engaging choice for the growing population of young readers.
In the growing market of New Adult (NA) literature in Germany, books catering to fashion-and-beauty, lifestyle, and entertainment are becoming increasingly popular among young adults who are drawn to articles about self-discovery, academia, and career launch. Contributing to this trend, Anabelle Stehl's novels, which receive critical acclaim in the NA genre, contain descriptions of realistic, nuanced complexities of young adult life along with fiction that tackles mature themes and explores intimate relationships, often marked by a 'Spice Level' to indicate the intensity of sexual content.
