Brat Pack (literary)

The term "Brat Pack" in a literary context is generally understood as a group of young, popular, and often commercially successful authors who emerged in the 1980s and 1990s. The name is borrowed from the media's label for a group of young actors known for their roles in teen movies of the same era.

In literature, the designation is looser and less strictly defined than its cinematic counterpart. It usually applies to writers whose work shares certain characteristics:

• Youthful Protagonists and Themes: These authors often wrote about young adults, exploring themes of alienation, identity, rebellion, and coming-of-age in contemporary settings.
• Commercial Success and Media Attention: A defining element is the writers' popularity and visibility. They often achieved significant sales and garnered considerable media attention, contributing to their label as part of a "pack."
• Shared Literary Style and Influences: While their individual styles varied, these authors frequently employed a more accessible and direct prose style, often influenced by contemporary realism and a focus on dialogue. Their work sometimes reflected shared cultural anxieties or trends of the period.
• Social Connections: Some of these authors were known to be socially connected or had overlapping literary circles, reinforcing the perception of a collective.

However, unlike the actors dubbed the "Brat Pack," the literary group was never a self-identified or formally organized entity. The label was largely applied retroactively by critics and commentators seeking to categorize a specific cohort of writers. There isn't universal agreement on which authors should be included under this designation. The label can also be viewed critically, suggesting a focus on style over substance or a trend towards superficiality in contemporary literature.