Writing the Past in Twenty-First-Century American Fiction

Writing the Past in Twenty-first-century American Fiction explores how contemporary novels are shaped by a sense of historical consciousness, using flashbacks, historical parallels, and non-sequential narrative arrangements to emphasize the re-emergence of historical structures and circumstances in a twenty-first-century context.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2022
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Rewritten text:

In the realm of contemporary American fiction, a profound exploration unfolds, delving into the intricate tapestry woven by a heightened sense of historical consciousness. Authors such as Ben Lerner, Colson Whitehead, Dana Spiotta, Hari Kunzru, and Garth Greenwell have skillfully crafted novels that are deeply influenced by a profound awareness of the past. Through the masterful use of flashbacks, historical parallels, and non-sequential narrative arrangements, these writers seek to emphasize the re-emergence of historical structures and circumstances in a twenty-first-century context. This captivating study delves into the profound impact of these frequent moments of temporal slippage, revealing how they contribute to a sense of dislocation and a falling out of time. As characters navigate the intricate web of the past, they are compelled to confront the ongoing crises that continue to exert a profound influence on their present-day existence. Through this literary exploration, readers are invited to contemplate the intricate interplay between history and the present, shedding light on the enduring legacies that shape our lives and the world around us.

In the realm of contemporary American fiction, a profound exploration unfolds, delving into the intricate tapestry woven by a heightened sense of historical consciousness. Authors such as Ben Lerner, Colson Whitehead, Dana Spiotta, Hari Kunzru, and Garth Greenwell have skillfully crafted novels that are deeply influenced by a profound awareness of the past. Through the masterful use of flashbacks, historical parallels, and non-sequential narrative arrangements, these writers seek to emphasize the re-emergence of historical structures and circumstances in a twenty-first-century context. This captivating study delves into the profound impact of these frequent moments of temporal slippage, revealing how they contribute to a sense of dislocation and a falling out of time. As characters navigate the intricate web of the past, they are compelled to confront the ongoing crises that continue to exert a profound influence on their present-day existence. Through this literary exploration, readers are invited to contemplate the intricate interplay between history and the present, shedding light on the enduring legacies that shape our lives and the world around us.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474463447