Affect and American Literature in the Age of Neoliberalism

In the age of neoliberalism, Rachel Greenwald Smith's book explores the relationship between American literature and politics, highlighting the representation of emotions in contemporary fiction and advocating for a counter-tradition focused on impersonal feelings.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 29 July 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Rachel Greenwald Smith's Affect and American Literature in the Age of Neoliberalism delves into the intricate interplay between American literature and politics across the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Smith argues that in contemporary fiction, the portrayal of emotions has taken on a heightened significance, reflecting the growing emphasis on the individual in American society. At a time when individuality is being celebrated to an unprecedented extent, Smith contends that the representation of emotions in literature emphasizes the personal lives of characters, often highlighting the complexities and challenges they face.

Through a comprehensive analysis of works by authors such as Paul Auster, Karen Tei Yamashita, Ben Marcus, Lydia Millet, and others, Smith makes a compelling case for the emergence of a counter-tradition in contemporary literature. This counter-tradition revolves around the exploration of impersonal feelings, challenging the prevailing neoliberal notion that emotions are solely the domain of the individual. By examining the ways in which these authors experiment with the relationship between feeling and form, Smith demonstrates the importance of a literary landscape that embraces a broader range of emotional experiences.

In this era of unprecedented individualism, Affect and American Literature in the Age of Neoliberalism offers a valuable perspective on the ways in which literature can respond to the challenges posed by the neoliberal ideology. By highlighting the importance of impersonal feelings and challenging the notion of emotions as private property, Smith's work contributes to a broader understanding of the role of literature in shaping our understanding of the world and our place in it. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of politics, literature, and emotion in contemporary society.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781107479227