Is There God after Prince?: Dispatches from an Age of Last Things

In the face of impending disaster, essays explore the meaning of love for art, culture, and people. They consider various cultural artifacts, such as movies, TV shows, songs, and books, and place them within the context of friendship, conflict, romance, and loss. The author, Peter Coviello, navigates the emotion of endstrickenness and questions what it means to love things in times of calamity. He combines comedy, anger, excitement, and sorrow to illuminate the ways in which the things we cherish help us to hold on to life and embrace its turbulent joys. The book offers a unique perspective on twenty-first-century criticism and its potential to speak to us in times of ruin and the end of things.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 06 October 2023
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

In his captivating book, "Essays Considering What It Means to Love Art, Culture, and People in an Age of Accelerating Disaster," Peter Coviello delves into the profound question of how to cherish the things we hold dear amidst a backdrop of impending catastrophe. Through a series of lyrical, humorous, and heart-wrenching essays, Coviello explores a wide range of cultural artifacts, placing them within the vibrant tapestry of friendship, conflict, romance, conversation, and loss. Alongside him, readers are transported back to iconic movies like "The Shining," captivating shows like "The Sopranos," mesmerizing videos, poignant poems, and thought-provoking novels by authors such as Sam Lipsyte, Sally Rooney, and Paula Fox. The musical landscape is also enriched by the timeless melodies of Joni Mitchell, Gladys Knight, Steely Dan, Pavement, and the dearly departed Prince, whose mournful songs continue to resonate with audiences.

Navigating the overwhelming sense of endstrickenness that pervades this narrative, Coviello probes the essence of loving things in times of calamity. He skillfully blends comedy and anger, exhilaration and sorrow, illuminating the peculiar ways in which the things we cherish provide us with a lifeline and a means to embrace the tumultuous joys of life. "Is There God after Prince?" serves as a testament to what twenty-first-century criticism can be, offering insights that resonate with us in the aftermath of ruin and in the age of Last Things.

Through his thoughtful and evocative writing, Coviello invites us to reflect on the importance of cherishing the things that matter most, whether it be books, songs, relationships, or cultural artifacts. He reminds us that even in the face of uncertainty and adversity, the things we love can offer us solace, strength, and a sense of meaning. This book is a poignant reminder that in the midst of chaos, there is always the potential for beauty, resilience, and the enduring power of love.

Dimension: 216 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226828084