An introduction to contemporary American fiction / Alan Bilton.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bilton, Alan, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

American fiction--20th century--History and criticism.

American fiction.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xii, 256 pages)

Place of Publication:

Edinburgh : Edinburgh University Press, [2009]

Summary:

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 indicesKey FeaturesEach 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 coursesFinds a middle ground between literary theory and traditional narrative criticism - engages with both the texts and the relevant conceptual issues

Contents:

Short Glossary of Critical and Literary Terms

Introduction

Don DeLillo

Paul Auster

Cormac McCarthy

Rolando Hinojosa

E. Annie Proulx

Bret Easton Ellis

Douglas Coupland

Conclusion: Thomas Pynchon's Mason & Dixon.

Notes:

Includes indexes.

ISBN:

9780748674046

OCLC:

1302166245