A helpful ghost who communicates by writing in a journal, a highly imaginative mother of twins, a placid English village and a rowdy Renaissance Festival all combine to produce Nancy Atherton’s newest novel, Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon. Atherton, whose mystery novels are all a part of her Aunt Dimity series, has a legion of devoted fans anxiously awaiting each new release. But after they have satisfied their Dimity cravings, how do they decide what to read next?
The Genreflecting Approach to Readers Advisory
Discussions of well liked books almost always generate recommendations of other titles that are, in some way, similar. Librarians have refined this practice into a field called readers advisory, which involves an analysis of common features of books as well as an identification of the specific interests of readers.
One approach to this field, genreflecting, categorizes types of books based on the assumption that other books in the same category will also appeal to readers. How well does this approach satisfy Aunt Dimity’s fans? Genreflecting first requires a knowledge of the novel in question.
Synopsis of Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon
The quiet English village of Finch is home to Lori Shepard, her husband, her twin sons and Aunt Dimity -- a ghostly spirit who comforts and advises the impetuous Lori. Lori is in particular need of comfort in this book. Her previous adventures in Aunt Dimity: Vampire Hunter have caused her to lose faith in her own judgment. Then King Wilfred’s Faire comes to town, distracting Lori from her unusual introspection. This Renaissance festival is produced by Calvin Malvern, a former resident of Finch, who takes on the role of King Wilfred. After witnessing what she believes to be two attempts on Calvin’s life, Lori once again relies on her vivid imagination and on Aunt Dimity’s advice as she tries to prevent a murder.
Results of Genreflecting
As this summary of Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon suggests, the Aunt Dimity series typifies the cozy mystery - one featuring primarily pleasant characters, whimsical humor, and minimal violence. An April 3, 2009 search of Novelist, a database librarians often use for readers advisory questions, resulted exclusively in other titles in the cozy category being listed as similar to Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon. Thus librarians using a genreflecting approach would recommend works such as Donna Andrews’ Meg Langslow series, M.C. Beaton’s Agatha Raison series, Dorothy Cannell’s Ellie Haskell series and Martha Grimes' Richard Jury series.
Limits of Genreflecting
Lacking information as to what precise element of a work appeals to a specific reader, the genreflecting approach can fail. In the case of Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon, readers whose primary interest is in the presence of a ghost in the novel may be unimpressed by a list of other cozy mysteries.
Instead, they will want recommendations from a different category, paranormal mysteries. This grouping includes both Charlaine Harris’ Harper Connelly series and her Sookie Stackhouse series, Alice Kimberly’s Haunted Bookshop series, Casey Daniels’ Pepper Martin series, Mignon F. Ballard’s Guardian Angel Augusta Goodnight series and Linda Lael Miller’s Mojo Sheepshanks series.
To identify specific reader interests, library-based readers advisory services interview readers before making recommendations. Computer-based services, like Novelist, fail to incorporate this step. As in the case of Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon, its absence can lead readers far astray from their real interests.
Atherton, Nancy. Aunt Dimity Slays the Dragon. Viking Adult. 240 pages. Published 19 Feb 2009. ISBN-13:9780670020508
Carol Thomas - Carol Thomas began her writing career by teaching English Composition at two Kentucky universities. A 25-year detour into academic ...
