History SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism / Literature

* It is interesting to compare the works of [[Literature/{{Discworld}} Terry Pratchett]] and Creator/TomHolt, two British comic-fantasy authors who are often compared with each other. On the surface both are similarly full of wry, rather cynical deconstructions of Fantasy, but a closer look reveals the differences. Pratchett's novels are quite heavily idealistic under the makeup, showing that while the tone and characters usually think in a rather cynical manner, the universe itself is an optimistic and awe-inspiring place. His books also show that we should not fear death but rather accept it, almost like a friend. Holt on the other hand seems to delight in [[DownerEnding running his heroes through the wringer]], especially when it comes to [[ShootTheShaggyDog love]].

* It is interesting to compare the works of [[Literature/{{Discworld}} Terry Pratchett]] and Creator/TomHolt, two British comic-fantasy authors who are often compared with each other. On the surface both are similarly full of wry, rather cynical deconstructions of Fantasy, but a closer look reveals the differences. Pratchett's novels are quite heavily idealistic under the makeup, full of {{Karmic Death}}s for the villains and [[HappilyEverAfter Happy Endings]] for the heroes. Holt on the other hand seems to delight in [[DownerEnding running his heroes through the wringer]], especially when it comes to [[ShootTheShaggyDog love]].

* ''Literature/GoodOmens'' deconstructs religion and analyzes the stance between human good and human "evil" and in doing so creates a story that discusses morality, human nature, absurdity, and our relationships. Overall, it plays with both sides of the scale but ultimately has an idealistic leaning.

* Liu Cixin's ''Literature/TheThreeBodyProblem'' is a very cynical story at an impending alien invasion and humanity being able to set aside its differences to stop it. ''The Dark Forest'' drives it all the way into despair-inducing dog-eat-dog hopelessness on a cosmic scale. ''Death's End'' manages to push it even ''further'' into a full-on CosmicHorrorStory where where nearly all hope in the universe is gone [[spoiler: and godlike alien civilizations slowly destroy the universe in a pointless war.]]

* For such a popular book series aimed at kids, ''Literature/{{Goosebumps}}'' is surprisingly really cynical. Most - if not all - of the books end with {{DownerEnding}}s that have the protagonist getting into trouble for something they didn't do at best or being left with an UncertainDoom at worst. Every book has at least one JerkAss character who frequently picks on the protagonist for no reason other than [[ItAmusedMe for their own amusement]]. The protagonists themselves can be unlikable at times too, being [[ButtMonkey miserable]] {{StrawLoser}}s at best and {{DesignatedHero}}es at worst. Whenever a protagonist has an [[BigBrotherBully older]] or [[AnnoyingYoungerSibling younger]] sibling, said sibling is almost always a jerk or a brat towards them. [[AdultsAreUseless The adults are idiots]] who often favor the older or younger siblings over [[TheUnfavorite the protagonist]]. With the exception of the villains, anyone who does something bad is always a KarmaHoudini.

* ''Literature/ASeriesOfUnfortunateEvents'' is largely toward the "cynical" end of the scale; many characters seem like they would prefer to be idealistic but have had the optimism crushed out of them, and those who are consistently optimistic come across as foolish.

* For such a popular book series aimed at kids, ''Literature/Goosebumps'' is surprisingly really cynical. Most - if not all - of the books end with {{DownerEnding}}s that have the protagonist getting into trouble for something they didn't do at best or being left with an UncertainDoom at worst. Every book has at least one JerkAss character who frequently picks on the protagonist for no reason other than [[ItAmusedMe for their own amusement]]. The protagonists themselves can be unlikable at times too, being [[ButtMonkey miserable]] {{StrawLoser}}s at best and {{DesignatedHero}}es at worst. Whenever a protagonist has an [[BigBrotherBully older]] or [[AnnoyingYoungerSibling younger]] sibling, said sibling is almost always a jerk or a brat towards them. [[AdultsAreUseless The adults are idiots]] who often favor the older or younger siblings over [[TheUnfavorite the proagonist]]. With the exception of the villains, anyone who does something bad is always a KarmaHoudini.