Do popular books use simpler language?
This might seem like an obvious question, but I'm curious if there's been any research into whether popularity correlates with linguistic simplicity.
Furthermore, do popular novels use linguistic complexity below that of the average reader; instead of matching or exceeding what the average reader is capable of?
George Orwell's advice on writing emphasised the need for plain English. He argued complexity of language, especially with mixed metaphors, was needless and confusing. I assume the use of simpler and conventional written English helps to make books popular by making them more accessible. For example: I don't think it's a coincidence that Harry Potter and the Hobbit are both so wildly successful; when they were both written for children.
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Apparently not, according to this study (https://contently.com/strategist/2015/01/28/this-surprising-reading-level-analysis-will-change-the-way-you-write/) which found popular authors spred all acorss the reading ease scale from Ernest Hemmingway at a grade 5 level to Michael Cricton at a grade 9 level.
This does not surprise me. It is generally more educated people who read novels anyway, so simplicity of language should not be an overwhelming issue for them. Compelling story seems much more likely to be the determining factor for the average novel reader.
Orwell's advice, we should remember, was aimed principally at writer of non-fiction. Not to say it does not apply to novelists as well, but it is well to remember that the writing of a lot of nonfiction should be accessible to the average citizen, whereas the average novel reader is likely better schooled and will certainly read at a higher grade level, if only because they get more practice.
Curiously, the writer of the study cited above had just the opposite concern, that people would turn their noses up at books that used simple language. So his message is that it is okay to use simple language. But his results equally show that it is okay to use more complex language as well.
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