The Cambridge Introduction to Postmodern Fiction (Cambridge Introductions to Literature) by Bran Nicol

Cambridge Introductions to Literature

by Bran Nicol

Postmodern fiction presents a challenge to the reader: instead of enjoying it passively, the reader has to work to understand its meanings, to think about what fiction is, and to question their own responses. Yet this very challenge makes postmodern writing so much fun to read and rewarding to study. Unlike most introductions to postmodernism and fiction, this book places the emphasis on literature rather than theory. It introduces the most prominent British and American novelists associated with postmodernism, from the 'pioneers', Beckett, Borges and Burroughs, to important post-war writers such as Pynchon, Carter, Atwood, Morrison, Gibson, Auster, DeLillo, and Ellis. Designed for students and clearly written, this Introduction explains the preoccupations, styles and techniques that unite postmodern authors. Their work is characterized by a self-reflexive acknowledgement of its status as fiction, and by the various ways in which it challenges readers to question common-sense and commonplace assumptions about literature.

Genres: Nonfiction, Literary Criticism, Criticism, Literature

Paperback

First published November 1, 2009

Reviews

[Meike]

Highly accessible and with a great selection of works and authors, this scientific introduction to all things PoMo is a really fun read. Some of the works discussed in the book are:

- Naked Lunch & Junky
- Slaughterhouse-Five
- Beloved
- The Handmaid's Tale & Alias Grace
- Blood and Guts in High School
- Crash
- American Psycho

...et al.

[CM · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent introduction to the field from the precursors like Beckett and Borges to writers active in the 80s( Delillo and Ellis), the author manages to present his insights on these curious literary works with reference to history, critical theories and philosophical traditions (all given a succinct summary in Chapter 1) without spoon-feeding the readers. It may feel a bit repetitive here and there but it's only a minor inconvenience. I have only read less than half of the authors discussed here but the book as a whole is still very much a delight.

*The majority of authors covered wrote in English, except Borges and Eco.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent academic text for students interested in learning more about Postmodern Literature without feeling night-sticked over the head with death-of-me Ivory Tower rhetoric.

Nicol does a good job identifying what Postmodern Fiction is, differentiates it from Modernism, and offers the Poetics (ways it works) that help to explain to ancient champions of realism why Postmodernism isn't simply about the avant-guard.

Existing here is some Lit Theory but it doesn't necessarily blind the reader, and there's some good looks into why seminal texts constitute the Postmodern movement. I would recommend reading the listed texts first, as you'll get more out of the experience to be "in the know" of the lit he discusses. Except Ballard. Don't read that book. It's so bad I almost quit reading altogether. I mean all books; like, I wanted to train to be a Vet Tech or something.

The others he discusses are all worth reading; even more so, brilliant works that deserve study and thought.

[Bradley William Holder · Rating 3 out of 5]

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[Beverly Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me a deeper understanding of some of my favorite authors ( John Barth, John Fowles, Umberto Eco) and helped me realize why I love their work so much. It also led me to a new list of works to start reading. I now have an historical coat rack on which to place the books I read.

[Apoorva · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very accessible introduction to my favourite genre in literature. Makes it intelligible without dumbing it down.