Bildungsroman or the coming of age genre

Last night at bookclub we discussed This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald. This debut novel was published in 1920 and follows the wealthy, charismatic and good looking Amory Blaine from his boarding school days, to Princeton and life in New York City post WW1. We all really enjoyed it and like the book nerds we are read passages aloud, talked about the themes and issues emerging and then found similarities in the story with recent TV teen dramas we've been watching! We've actually never in 2 years discussed a book in as much detail! We loved the lyrical, poetic style of writing and the rise and fall of the main character from youth to adulthood. We thought besides the style of writing, it could easily have been written today - the story is timeless! We started describing the book as a coming of age novel and decided we'd read another coming of age novel this month. So I googled coming of age novels (of course) and came across this word - Bildungsroman. I was fascinated to discover that this is the fancy word for the coming of age genre and has certain key characteristics like: psychological and moral growth on the journey from youth to adulthood ending in some sort of personal growth! Aha my inner me screamed! I *heart* bildungsroman! I always love coming of age stories be they books, movies or TV! We settled on our next book - A Hero Aint Nothin but a Sandwich and I set out to think about all the other bildungsroman I'd experienced and loved! Here is a list of some I've read and watched that I think represent the genre - of course there are many, many more!
 Books

• Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
• Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
• To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
• Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky
• Catcher in the Rye - J D Salinger
• Charlotte's Web - E. B. White
• Secret History - Donna Tartt
• Forever - Judy Blume
• Oranges are not the Only Fruit - Jeanette Winterson
• Persepolis - Marjane Satrapi
• How I live now - Meg Rosoff
• Harry Potter - Series
• Hunger Games - Series

Movies

• Dead Poets Society
• Almost Famous
• Pump up the Volume
• Heathers
• Basketball Diaries
• Rushmore
• Donnie Darko
• Virgin Suicides
• Stand by Me
• My Girl
• Dirty Dancing

TV

• Friday Night Lights
• Vampire Diaries
• Skins
• Gossip Girl
• OC
• Dawsons Creek
• Degrassi
• Beverly Hills 90210
• Twin Peaks
• Buffy

Response to @malbooth's TV meme

Thanks to @malbooth for this one. Long weekend meme fever continues...


Do you snack while watching TV?
Of course! Usually popcorn or chocolate

What is your favourite TV show?
True Blood

What TV show makes you run to change channels?
Today tonight, rugby league, Sunrise

How do you view your TV guide: online, on-screen, newspaper, magazine, other?
Rarely but when I do defo online

Have you ever been surveyed for your TV-viewing habits or do you know anyone who has been?
My partner was surveyed in person by someone nocking at the door. It took ages.

Do you watch TV news and/or current affairs regularly?
Yep, Lateline, QandA, insight, 7:30 report, ABC2 in the morning

Do you watch any TV "soaps"? (Truth please, even if it is embarrassing.)
Law & Order SVU

What other series shows do you try not to miss?
United States of Tara

Any previous series or shows you really liked?
Only on DVD but there's quite a few: West wing, Northern exposure, Buffy, Entourage, Scrubs, Flight of the Conchords, Gossip girl, 30 Rock, Tudors, Mad Men,

Do you have pay TV or are the digital channels enough?
Digital is enough

Do you only watch certain TV shows online?
Not really - I did watch United States of Tara online cause I worked the night it was on but now I have it DVD

Do you regularly use services like ABC catch-up or other online replays?
Not regularly - If I missed it, I missed it.

Do you ever pay any attention to the adverts?
Not unless there's a puppy in the add - that always gets me

Do you multi-task while watching TV & if so what else are you doing?
Reading, eating, writing, on my iphone, talking, texting, playing games, downloading apps, twitter and  Facebook, on my laptop, downloading music, uploading photos,  doing housework etc.


Is there a TV show that makes you laugh out loud?
The IT crowd! 30 Rock!


Have you ever said no to a social invitation to stay at home and watch TV? (Truth again please.) Mind telling us what the show was?
Really? No.


Do you record TV shows & if so why and how (VCR, DVD recorder, TIVO, laptop, etc.)?
No way - as I said if I missed it I missed it - or I'll buy the DVD


Have you ever seen anything really memorable on TV (not news/events - made for TV drama, etc.)?
Yellowstone BBC doco


Do you prefer TV series or stand-alone shows?
Series


Is there a specific show you find yourself recommending over and over?
Yellowstone!

Photo is of my mums farm where I'm at right now about to eat fresh baked sponge cake!