what it's all about

What is a novel for?  Presenting something that is noteworthy. I mean that in the broadest sense. Something of human experience that is meaningful. Not necessarily meaningful to everyone, but to someone. Not necessarily true, or good, or bad, right or wrong, etc. Experientially noteworthy.

For instance, think of cozy mysteries. What do they do besides entertain. Not that entertainment isn’t valuable. But on a deeper level, these types of books assure the reader of a world that is just and tidy. There is crime or evil if you like, but it is not graphic or monstrous, and it can be brought to justice by a calm, intelligent, persistent force (the detective) bringing the world back into order. Basically, the world is safe and in order even if occasionally it gets a little bit of whack.

Think of the book Huckleberry Finn. It is an exploration of racism in the pre-civil war American South. Certainly meaningful.

Each book is a representation of a world view and it instantiates that view in the reader’s mind. Something that can be thought of as pure entertainment or distraction is a little more than that. By reading a book, and accepting that book, it becomes a part of the reader’s psyche, even if only a little part.

And how does the book insinuate itself into the reader’s mind and emotions? Through the protagonist or protagonists. The book is a psychic journey taken by its main character(s). But for the reader to ride along they must know the thoughts and feeling of MC. The novel must show what they are thinking and feeling. The decisions they make and actions they take. The consequences of their actions and that means not only the external consequences but the internal ones; their subsequent feels, thoughts, and decisions. If the reader only sees the external actions of the MC it won’t work. If the author withholds the thoughts and feelings of the MC (perhaps in the name of suspense) the reader will feel cheated. We, the readers, want to see inside of the MC and follow intimately their journey. How did they feel? What did their feelings make them want to do. What decisions did they make and how did they then act on those decisions. How did they feel after taking action; not just what happened but how did they then think and feel. Most of Hamlet (perhaps the worlds greatest play)  is about what is going on inside his head and heart. If you took that away from the play what would be left?