What is pulp fiction meaning?

Pulp fiction is a term used to describe a genre of popular, largely American fiction that emerged in the early 20th century, characterized by its use of cheap, coarse, and often sensationalistic writing style. Pulp fiction stories were usually published in cheap, disposable magazines printed on pulp paper, hence the name. The genre originally consisted of lurid, violent, and sexually explicit stories that catered to the baser instincts of readers during a time when sensationalism was popular.

In modern usage, pulp fiction refers to a style of storytelling that mixes elements of crime, violence, and dark humor to create a gritty and often non-linear narrative. The term is often associated with writers like Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and Mickey Spillane, who defined the genre in the 1940s and 1950s. Pulp fiction has been adapted into movies, television shows, and comics, and continues to influence contemporary popular culture.