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Potboilers are commercial creative works that prioritize profit over artistic vision. They are often low quality and predictable, but marketed well and can be popular. The term dates back to the 1800s and refers to work that keeps household fires burning. Potboilers have simple plots and stock characters, and authors may produce multiple books in a year under different pseudonyms. While some dismiss the genre, potboilers have their place and can spark interest in their topics, such as The Da Vinci Code’s impact on Leonardo da Vinci’s life and art.
A potboiler is a creative work produced primarily with commercial intent, rather than with a larger artistic vision in mind. Potboilers can take many forms, from feature films to novels, and are characterized by quick and cheap production which often results in an inferior product. Despite the negative associations with the potboiler, these works tend to be marketed quite well, filling the need for an infusion of cash and sometimes becoming quite popular.
This term dates back to the 1800s, when it was first used quite derogatorily to dismiss extremely low quality art. “Potboiler” refers to the idea that the sale of such work literally keeps household fires burning, establishing a secure livelihood for the creator. In addition to “potboiler”, terms such as “pulp fiction“, “page turner”, “popcorn novel”, “airport novel” or “popcorn movie” may be used to describe such creative works and their authors may be described, sometimes a somewhat unfairly, as “hack”.
As a general rule, a potboiler is fairly predictable, with a very simple plot and stock characters. The work is designed to appeal to the widest possible audience, and as a result subtle nuances, unexpected twists and controversial material are generally avoided. In the thriller and crime genres in particular, potboilers are actually considered quite respectable, with very high sales numbers, and a number of prominent artists in these genres produce what is generally considered to be potboilers.
Many authors known for their potboilers are able to produce a steady stream of them, churning out multiple books in a year, especially when those authors have established series. A series often attracts loyal readers, ensuring that the author has a strong customer base who will eagerly read each new book that emerges from the author’s pen. It’s also not uncommon for authors to write under different pseudonyms for different audiences, further expanding their market share.
While some people are tempted to dismiss the entire potboiler genre, this is perhaps a little unfair. Potboilers definitely have their place, as anyone who has endured a long plane flight can attest, and in some cases a potboiler has captured the public’s attention, resulting in an increased interest in reading and the topics covered in the book. . The 2003 book The Da Vinci Code, for example, sparked great interest in Leonard Da Vinci, his life and his art.
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