Complex and simple plots
There are books with complex plots, and books with simpler plots. How complex the plot of a book is will be determined the same way that complexity of any other thing is determined, that is to say, as the amount of parts and interaction among them: the number of characters, the relationships among them, the number and level of difficulty of the conflicts and their relationships, etc. For example, Juan Monsalve may have an ally, detective Pérez. While Juan is looking into the identity of the terrorist, detective Pérez is in charge of finding the explosive device all over town. Each one encounters conflicts to achieve their purpose, but they are both related because it is the same story. A more complex or simpler plot does not make for a better book, as this is more related to the preferences of the reader/writer and the emphasis the story will have.
Plot in traditional literature
In traditional or classic literature, plots lack the characteristic elements that are so well defined in the entertainment literature, as for example, it is not required that the characters advance towards their objectives or find conflicts they need to overcome Let’s consider three examples (which may be invented or not) of general literature novel plots, summarized in one line: First, a novel in which a character walks through the city thinking in a disorganized way about his life and his country (it is possible that the character does not even want to clarify anything, but only to reflect). Second, the relationships of a medium class family living in a big city are depicted, with the dramas and dilemmas of their members (there are conflicts but there is no need to overcome them, there may be a purpose but maybe they do not fight for it, or they may fight for it at a point but then it is abandoned). Third, in Waiting for Godot two characters are waiting for a third one, Godot, while discussing other topics (there is no active purpose, they are just waiting, there are no conflicts nor advancement).
