At the Irish Times, Derek Flynn considers genre fiction, particularly crime fiction, and working class experience. “And when I say that the voices of the working class can be heard in genre fiction, I’m not just talking about crime or thriller novels. Take, for example, the much-maligned genre of ‘chick lit.’ More often than not, the characters in those novels are working-class women. Perhaps that’s why crime and ‘chick lit’ novels are so popular with readers. Because many of the readers of these books are working-class and see themselves reflected in the characters, perhaps more than they see themselves reflected in what would be regarded as ‘literary fiction.’” (Thanks, Kate!)