A novel that traces the development, education, and maturation of a young protagonist from youth to adulthood.
From German 'Bildung' (education/formation) + 'Roman' (novel). The genre was formalized in 18th-century Germany with Goethe's Wilhelm Meister. Harry Potter, Jane Eyre, and The Catcher in the Rye are all bildungsromane.
Literally 'growing-up novel!' Harry Potter, Jane Eyre, The Hunger Games — every story where you watch a young person BECOME who they're meant to be is a bildungsroman! Germans named the most universal story genre! 📚🌱
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