Learn Spanish (Latin America): Este género exige una buena narrativa, lo cual es difícil. - This genre requires a good narrative, which is difficult.

In Spanish, a simple que usually refers back to the noun right before it. If we used que here, it would sound like the narrative itself is difficult. However, the sentence means that the entire concept of requiring a good narrative is the difficult part. To refer back to a whole previous situation or clause rather than a single noun, we use a neuter relative pronoun like lo cual.

Could I use lo que instead of lo cual in this sentence?

Yes, lo que would work perfectly here. Both lo que and lo cual can refer back to a complete idea that was just mentioned in the same sentence. lo cual tends to sound a little bit more formal or written, which fits nicely when discussing something like a literary or film género.

Why does buena come before narrativa? Don't adjectives usually go after the noun?

Descriptive adjectives do typically follow the noun. However, common adjectives of quality like bueno or malo are often placed in front of the noun to emphasize that quality. It makes the statement feel slightly more subjective or expressive, which is very common in reviews or critiques.

Is there a difference between using exige and requiere here?