Subsurface

Subsurface by Karen Pinkus looks at how capitalist fantasies of humans taking what they want from the earth have been buried in texts by Edgar Allan Poe, Arthur Conan Doyle, George Sand, E. T. A. Hoffmann, and Jules Verne. It questions the certainty of comfortable narrative arcs and asks us to read literature with and against the figure of the geological column, fossil fuels, and the emissions warming our planet.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 17 May 2023
Publisher: University of Minnesota Press

The subsurface, once perceived as a realm of mystery and possibility, has assumed an increasingly significant role in the context of climate change. Can delving into narratives of the past that explore imaginative realms beneath the surface enhance our understanding of the warming planet in our present era? In her book Subsurface, Karen Pinkus investigates the hidden origins of capitalist fantasies in which humans exploit the earth's resources. By engaging with a range of texts, including works by Edgar Allan Poe, Arthur Conan Doyle, George Sand, E. T. A. Hoffmann, and Jules Verne, Pinkus uncovers the historical connections between the subsurface and fossil fuels. She argues that while the subsurface has traditionally been associated with myth, stories of male voyages, and pursuit of knowledge, it is now also the domain of fossil fuels. Through a multidisciplinary approach, Pinkus questions the certainty of comfortable narrative arcs and encourages readers to engage with literature both in alignment with and against the geological column, fossil fuels, and the emissions contributing to global warming. As we reflect on our past selves and the impact of our actions, Subsurface prompts us to explore new modes of imagination and envision a more sustainable future.

Weight: 283g
Dimension: 216 x 140 x 10 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781517914790