Human memory of books depends on more than just plot and characters—scientists have found that a novel’s longevity is largely determined by its language: simple texts quickly become bestsellers and are just as quickly forgotten, while complex ones remain in history for decades.
Why do some novels instantly become bestsellers only to be just as quickly forgotten, while others continue to capture readers’ hearts for decades? An international team of researchers led by cognitive scientist Leiao Wang from the University of York discovered that the key to “eternal” popularity lies not only in the plot but also in the language of the work.
The scientists analyzed 300 English-language novels published between 1909 and 1923 and divided them into two groups: “one-day-wonder” books and works that maintain demand a century later.
It turned out that the early bestsellers were characterized by a simple, conversational style, an abundance of interjections, and punctuation marks. This approach made the text easier to absorb and ensured quick success but lacked the depth needed for future generations.
In contrast, the long-lived novels featured more complex language: long sentences and rare vocabulary. According to the researchers, it is this intellectual demand that makes the works memorable and encourages readers to return to them again and again.
An artificial intelligence algorithm, trained on this data, was able to predict with approximately 70% accuracy whether a book would become a classic or fade into oblivion.
The authors emphasize that other factors are also important—the subject matter, marketing, and the writer’s reputation. However, the study’s results offer a new understanding of how the very fabric of the text can influence its durability. Nevertheless, literary critics urge caution regarding the conclusions: canons are unstable, and readers’ tastes change with the eras.
