Definition
Unlike science fiction, lab lit is generally set in some semblance of the real world, rather than a speculative or future one, and it deals with established scientific knowledge or plausible hypotheses. In other words, lab lit novels are mainstream or literary stories about the practice of science as a profession. They may or may not center exclusively on the science or the workplaces of scientists, but all tend to feature scientists as central characters. Examples of lab lit include Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver, Cantor's Dilemma by Carl Djerassi, Intuition by Allegra Goodman and Mendel's Dwarf by Simon Mawer. Novels set in the past featuring fictionalized explorations of real-life scientists can also be considered lab lit, such as Enigma by Robert Harris or Kepler by John Banville.
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