The power of certain books to change the reader’s world view – and how to go about writing one

Have you ever read a novel that’s changed how you see the world? One that opened your mind and your heart, switched your political opinions or made you aware of a topic you had no idea existed? From Charles Dickens through George Orwell to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, novelists throughout the centuries have used their storytelling skills to raise awareness, explore prejudice or start a discussion. How do they manage to do this – and keep the reader gripped at the same time? Find out here as we explore and celebrate the novel with a message.

Firstly, though, what distinguishes a novel with a message from any other work of fiction? After all, it could be argued that every book contains a unifying topic, whether it’s that crime should be punished or that true love wins. Yet some novels have a stronger point to make, and this has to be done overtly, which is no bad thing, as readers might not pick up on it otherwise. Think of Charles Dickens, a favourite of author Elizabeth Enfield: ‘His novels shone a light on so many of the inequities in Victorian society,’ she says. Books such as Oliver Twist and Little Dorrit shocked readers at the time with the realities of workhouses and homelessness, which led to a cry for social change. Love them or hate them, you can’t dismiss his books for not being subtle in their points of view – or in anything else.

Challenging themes

Dickens’ illuminating stories inspired Elizabeth when it came to writing her third novel, Living With It. It centres on the relationship between two couples, one of whose daughters becomes hearing impaired after catching measles from the unvaccinated daughter of the other. ‘I wanted to look at the repercussions of deciding not to have your children vaccinated against childhood diseases,’ says Elizabeth. ‘I grew up with someone who was profoundly deaf as a result of having measles as a baby, so I knew the devastating effect an illness that is mild for many could cause [for some].’