"Waterland" is concerned with the nature and importance of history as the primary source of meaning in a narrative. For this reason, it is associated with new historicism. "Waterland" can also be said to fall under the category of postmodern literature. It has characteristics associated with postmodern literature, such as a fragmented narrative style, where events are not told in chronological order. An unreliable narrator is also present. Major themes in the novel include storytelling and history, exploring how the past leads to future consequences.