An Introduction to Contemporary American Fiction - Hardcover

Bilton, Alan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0748613803 ISBN 13: 9780748613809

Publisher: Edinburgh University Press, 2002

Synopsis

Contemporary American Fiction introduces the work of a range of American authors, all of whom can be said to engage with postmodernism: Don DeLillo, Paul Auster, Cormac McCarthy, Rolando Hinojosa, E. Annie Proulx, Bret Easton Ellis, Douglas Coupland and Thomas Pynchon. The overarching theme is an exploration of the current vitality and energy of contemporary writing in light of pessimistic proclamations on the state of postmodern American culture, and of the tension between 'realistic' description and linguistic self-consciousness in contemporary fiction. As an introductory text for both American Studies and English Literature students, it assumes no prior knowledge of the authors or the novels discussed. To encourage understanding and aid further study, the following features are included: * glossaries of literary and critical terms * bibliographies for each author * biographies of each author * links between the authors are highlighted * thematic and author indices Key Features * Each chapter covers one author in depth - ideal for students writing essays, preparing for seminars, etc.* Authors covered have been selected on basis of their popularity on undergraduate courses * Finds a middle ground between literary theory and traditional narrative criticism - engages with both the texts and the relevant conceptual issues

About this title

About the Author:

Alan Bilton is Lecturer in American Studies at the University of Wales, Swansea, and editor of The American 1920s: Literary Sources and Documents.

Review:

"Bilton offers a critical but accessible introduction to postmodernism in America, surveying the selected works of eight contemporary writers. . . . This is an intriguing if eclectic mix of authors."

-Library Journal

"A welcome addition to the often-bloated scholarship on literary postmodernism. . . . Bilton's command of the fiction and scholarship is impressive."

-Choice

About this edition

• Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0748613803
• ISBN 13: 9780748613809
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 272