Living a thousand lives

This study investigates the role of young adult (YA) fiction in narrative identity construction among adult readers, as well as their cultural practices regarding YA fiction in everyday life. It bases its research on Paul Ricoeur’s (1991) theory of narrative identity, which argues that narratives – fictional and factual – are the medium through which we construct our life story. Studies report that YA fiction, or fiction specifically written for adolescents, is mostly consumed by adults. This is curious as YA novels are primarily coming-of-age stories and deal with issues regarding growing up and finding one’s identity. Thus this research studies this particular age group regarding narrative identity, especially because McAdams (1985) states that one’s life story does not emerge until (late) adolescence. The results of 9 in-depth, active interviews with adults aged 20 to 35, show adults utilize YA fiction in various ways, such as the structuring of time in everyday life, escapism, understanding one’s world around them, as well as finding oneself in fiction. The latter finding is connected to the second finding, namely discordancy in life. YA fiction helps readers understand discordant events, give them new perspectives and lead to changes in the self. It shows that YA fiction can influence readers, also with regards to beliefs, values and views on moral and societal issues. Lastly, many readers prefer YA fiction, because it provides possibilities. This is partly connected to the practice of escapism, though also to finding one’s identity. YA fiction provides answers to grand questions regarding one’s identity. Thus, this study demonstrates that YA fiction has a certain role in narrative identity construction.