Death of Things: Ephemera and the American Novel

The Death of Things is a comprehensive study of ephemera in twentieth-century literature and its relevance to contemporary digital culture. It explores how objects shape our world and offers new perspectives on deletion and preservation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 20 October 2020
Publisher: University of Minnesota Press

The digital age has brought forth a ubiquitous cautionary phrase: "Nothing ever truly disappears from the internet." However, the 20th century was a time when ephemera, items intended to vanish forever, held significant importance in the realm of literature. In her groundbreaking work, "The Death of Things," author Sarah Wasserman delves into the profound impact of ephemera on twentieth-century fiction and its relevance to contemporary digital culture.

Ephemera, representing the constant flux of change and loss, played a central role in the masterpieces created by renowned novelists such as Don DeLillo, Ralph Ellison, and Marilynne Robinson. Wasserman's book explores the lives and deaths of objects, envisioning innovative ways in which urban spaces can be reimagined, marginalized communities can gain greater visibility, and the concept of the marginal itself can be reevaluated.

Furthermore, "The Death of Things" poses thought-provoking questions about our fascination with durability, our concerns about the digital realm, and our eagerness to explore new fictional narratives that delve into the themes of deletion and preservation. By offering readers captivating and unconventional perspectives on the role of objects in shaping our world, Wasserman crafts an alternative literary history of the 20th century, providing a insightful and unique journey through once-vital but now forgotten artifacts.

Weight: 390g
Dimension: 141 x 216 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781517909789