An origin story can be considered unusual when it defies common expectations. For example, if a species has features that are not typical for its group. Like the pangolin, it's a mammal covered in scales, which is really different from most other mammals. This makes its origin story interesting and unusual.
Unusual origin stories often involve elements that are not easily explained by normal evolutionary or historical processes. Take the Easter Island statues. These huge stone statues were made by the Rapa Nui people. But how they were moved and erected with the limited technology of that time is a mystery. It's this kind of mystery and the deviation from what we assume should be normal that makes an origin story unusual. Also, when something combines very different elements in its origin. For instance, a new art form that emerges from a blend of two completely different cultural art forms.
The origin of the Hulk is quite strange. Bruce Banner was a scientist exposed to gamma radiation during an experiment. Instead of killing him, it made him transform into a huge, green - skinned creature whenever he got angry. Jessica Jones got her powers in a tragic way. She was in a car accident that was caused by a chemical spill which was a part of some illegal experiments. This exposure gave her superhuman strength and the ability to fly for short distances. There's also Moon Knight. Marc Spector was resurrected by the Egyptian moon god Khonshu near the statue of the god in Egypt, and as a result, he gained superpowers and became a protector of the night.
One factor that can make a detective novel unusual is the setting. For example, if it's set in a very unique or strange place like a floating city or an ancient, forgotten civilization. Another aspect could be the detective character themselves. If they have some extraordinary abilities or quirks, like a detective who can communicate with the dead to solve crimes. Also, an unusual narrative structure, such as telling the story from multiple, non - linear perspectives or having the detective be the unreliable narrator, can set a detective novel apart as unusual.
For a novel to be great and unusual, it might have a setting that is out of the ordinary. 'The Master and Margarita' has a setting that blends the real Moscow with the supernatural, which is very unique. The way it treats themes can also be a factor. In 'Gravity's Rainbow', the way it deals with themes like power and paranoia is not like most novels. Moreover, if it challenges the reader's expectations at every turn, like 'If on a winter's night a traveler' does with its constantly changing stories, it can be considered great and unusual.
Unusual settings can make a fiction book unusual. For example, if a book is set in a world where time runs backwards or in a place with completely different physical laws. Another factor is the narrative structure. A book that jumps between different time periods or perspectives in a non - linear way, like 'Pale Fire' by Vladimir Nabokov, can be considered unusual.
An unusual fantasy novel might have a very unique magic system. For example, in 'Mistborn' by Brandon Sanderson, the magic system is based on ingesting different metals to gain powers, which is quite different from the typical magic in most fantasy novels.
Unusual classic novels can be so for several reasons. Firstly, the plot might be very unconventional. Consider 'Invisible Man' by Ralph Ellison. The story of a black man who is literally invisible and his struggle for identity in a racist society is a very distinct plot. Secondly, the language use can be unique. 'Finnegans Wake' by James Joyce has a very experimental use of language that is almost like a made - up language in parts. This makes it extremely unusual among classic novels. Also, the way it presents social or moral issues in a new light, like 'Nineteen Eighty - Four' by George Orwell, which presents a totalitarian future in a very vivid and disturbing way, can make a novel an unusual classic.
A historical fiction can be considered unusual when it plays with time in an unexpected way. Maybe it jumps back and forth between different historical eras in a non - linear fashion. It might also re - imagine historical events or figures in a radical new light. For instance, giving a villain in history a more sympathetic backstory. Also, if it combines different cultures or historical periods in a way that's not common, like a story set in ancient Rome that also has elements of a far - eastern culture, that would make it unusual.
For the shepherds, it's their encounter with angels that makes them unusual. Angels are celestial beings, and for these simple shepherds to have such a direct and supernatural experience, it sets them apart. They were then led by the angels' message to visit the Messiah, which was a life - changing event for them.
The unexpected plot twists. In an unusual love story novel, like 'The Shape of Water' which was later made into a movie. The love between a mute woman and a strange aquatic creature is something no one would expect. It breaks the norms of traditional love stories where the lovers are usually two humans in a common social setting.
Unusual family stories often involve unique relationships. Maybe there's a family where the siblings are adopted from different countries and cultures. They bring in their own traditions and languages, and the family has to adapt and blend all these elements together. It's a rich tapestry of different cultures, emotions, and experiences that make the story captivating. The way they overcome potential cultural clashes and form a strong family bond is what makes it so interesting.