Introduction to Contemporary American Fiction

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

Alan Bilton is Lecturer in American Studies at the University of Wales, Swansea and editor of The American 1920s: Literary Sources and Documents (2001).