The Cambridge Companion to American Fiction After 1945

by John N. Duvall (Editor)

Each generation revises literary history and this is nowhere more evident than in the post-Second World War period. This Companion offers a comprehensive, authoritative and accessible overview of the diversity of American fiction since the Second World War. Essays by nineteen distinguished scholars provide critical insights into the significant genres, historical contexts, cultural diversity and major authors during a period of enormous American global political and cultural power. This power is overshadowed, nevertheless, by national anxieties growing out of events ranging from the Civil Rights Movement to the rise of feminism; from the Cold War and its fear of Communism and nuclear warfare to the Age of Terror and its different yet related fears of the 'Other'. American fiction since 1945 has faithfully chronicled these anxieties. An essential reference guide, this Companion provides a chronology of the period, as well as guides to further reading.

Genres: Nonfiction, Essays

292 pages, Paperback

First published December 8, 2011

Reviews

[Ted J. Gibbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

In general, a great collection of essays. Particularly important is John Duvall's contribution on the literature of 9/11, which is a thought-provoking and well developed critique. However, the final chapter on the future direction of American literature feels like it was the inspiration for Caroline Calloway's 'first Instagram stories novel,' and seemed placed where it was purely for the sake of trying to incite some 'dialogue' about how 'the book is dead, man,' which is a position held by a small handful of critics from every single era of (at least) the past 200 years. Every generation thinks that they have arrived 'too late' on the artistic scene. And no, I don't want to read your metafictional autobiography that is published in the format of Tik Toks.

[Lorena B. Robles]

Que este sea el primer libro que acabo es... Gracioso

Gracias señorxs que han escrito esta companion por explicarme lo que mi profesor no ha explicado en todo un cuatrimestre 🙌🤝

[Caleb Tankersley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This text is invaluable in putting together the trajectories and the pieces of contemporary American fiction movements. Incredibly helpful. I'll be returning to this book for years to come.

[モーリー · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe this is standard for the genre, but I wanted more analysis or context and less plot summary of the various works named.

[Mills College Library]

813.5409 C1782 2012