Pastiche, a
literary technique employing a generally light-hearted tongue-in-cheek imitation of another's style; although jocular, it is usually respectful. Examples in the
English language include the many stories featuring
Sherlock Holmes written by writers other than
Arthur Conan Doyle and
David Lodge's novel
The British Museum Is Falling Down (
1965). Much
fan fiction relies heavily on pastiche for any effects it might have.
Pastiche is also used in non-literary works, including art and music.
Pastiche is also used less scrupulously to take commercial advantage of popular styles or subjects. Many genre writings, particularly in fantasy, are essentially pastiches.