Wallace Stevens and the Contemporary Irish Novel: Order, Form, and Creative Un-Doing

Wallace Stevens' poetic quest for order and the championing of the creative affordances of the imagination finds compelling articulation in the positioning of the Irish novel as a response to larger legacies of Anglo-American modernism. This book contemporizes Stevens' literary influence with reference to novelistic style, themes, and thematic preoccupations that stake the claim for the international status of the contemporary Irish novel as it shapes a new understanding of "world literature" as an exchange between national languages, cultures, and alternative formulations of aesthetic modernity.

Format: Hardback
Length: 132 pages
Publication date: 22 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Wallace Stevens and the Contemporary Irish Novel is a significant addition to the field of analyzing the literary impact of the renowned American modernist poet Wallace Stevens. Stevens' lifelong poetic pursuit of order and his unwavering advocacy for the creative potential of the imagination are beautifully expressed in the book's exploration of the Irish novel as a response to the profound legacies of Anglo-American modernism. Moreover, it delves into the possibility of aesthetic re-imagining in the aftermath of postmodern practices and metatextual consciousness, which have disrupted certainties and literary traditions.

The central argument of this book is that intertextual influences stemming from Stevens' poetry interact dynamically with the vitality of the novelistic imagination, leading to robust dialectical exchanges between existential chaos and artistic order. It further explores how contemporary forms and poetic precursors engage in lively exchanges with one another, contributing to the international recognition of the contemporary Irish novel as it shapes a new understanding of "world literature" as an ongoing project that transcends national boundaries, cultures, and alternative formulations of aesthetic modernity.

To substantiate this argument, the book conducts comprehensive readings of novels by prominent contemporary Irish novelists such as John Banville, Colum McCann, Ed OLoughlin, Iris Murdoch, and Emma Donoghue. By examining these works in the context of Stevens' literary influence, the book contemporizes his literary legacy with reference to novelistic style, themes, and thematic preoccupations. It highlights how these novelists have embraced and expanded upon Stevens' ideas, contributing to the international stature of the contemporary Irish novel as it continues to evolve and shape our understanding of world literature.

In conclusion, Wallace Stevens and the Contemporary Irish Novel offers a profound and insightful exploration of the interplay between Wallace Stevens' poetry and the contemporary Irish novel. Through its comprehensive readings and analysis, the book demonstrates how Stevens' poetic vision continues to inspire and influence contemporary writers, contributing to the international reputation of the contemporary Irish novel as a vital and dynamic force in world literature.

Weight: 420g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032487021