What makes a fantasy novel 'unusual'?

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 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.

An 'unusual world novel' often has a unique concept. It could be a world where time doesn't flow linearly, but in loops or spirals. This would completely change how the characters experience events and how the story unfolds. Also, the use of language can contribute. If the author invents new words or uses language in a very different way to describe the world, it can make the world seem very unusual. For example, a language where every word has multiple meanings depending on the tone in which it is spoken. Additionally, the power dynamics in the world can be strange. A world where the weak are the rulers and the strong are servants would be quite an unusual concept for a novel.

An unusual detective noir novel might have an unexpected setting. For example, instead of the typical urban cityscape, it could be set in a small, seemingly idyllic town that hides a lot of dark secrets. This contrast between the appearance and the reality of the place makes it different from the norm.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A weapon made from the bones of a long - extinct dragon. It has the ability to breathe fire when the wielder channels their own life force into it. The blade of this weapon is also said to be unbreakable and can cut through any magical or physical barrier.