Featured timeline: The Evolution of Genres

Tiki-Toki Timeline Maker is delighted to feature The Evolution of Genres: A Sideways Look at Literature. This lovely timeline is about the development of genres in fiction, set in the wider context of history, and was created by Ken Pelham as a companion to a book he is working on.

When asked about the timeline subject, Ken responded: "Because I write fiction in multiple genres (mystery, thriller, horror, science fiction, and fantasy), I quickly saw that the subject would be even better if I took a broader, longer view and approached it as a book about how different genres come about and evolve, how they influence each other, how they are affected by the larger world, and how they in turn affect society. Once I made that the focus of the the book, I knew that an interactive timeline could illustrate the concepts visually."

With over 250 stories covering everything from key literary works and genres (of course!) to important events and time periods, the timeline inclues a wealth of information. It's made very accessible through the way it's been laid out, with the ability to switch between the 2D and 3D versions to get different perspectives. The 3D view is great to scroll through for an overview, but I love the 2D view because it shows the longevity of some genres (e.g., folk traditions from late Roman period to 1800) and the spans (e.g., the Cold War) so you can easily see how things overlap.

Ken Pelham has created a lovely, fascinating timeline that is well worth exploring if you have even the remotest interest in literature (and it's worth exploring even if you don't!).

As ever, if you know of any timelines that should be featured in future, get in touch with us at blog@tiki-toki.com.

Thanks for reading!