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. This study explores how these moments of temporal slippage amount to a falling out of time, as characters are forced to confront past crises that continue to exert pressure on their contemporary moment.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2024
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 the past. Through the clever use of flashbacks, historical parallels, and non-sequential narrative arrangements, they emphasize the re-emergence of historical structures and circumstances in the twenty-first century. 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 complexities of their past, they are compelled to confront the ongoing crises that continue to exert a profound influence on their present lives.

Paragraphs:

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 the past. Through the clever use of flashbacks, historical parallels, and non-sequential narrative arrangements, they emphasize the re-emergence of historical structures and circumstances in the twenty-first century. 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 complexities of their past, they are compelled to confront the ongoing crises that continue to exert a profound influence on their present lives.

Within the captivating world of contemporary American fiction, a profound exploration unfurls, delving into the intricate tapestry woven by a heightened sense of historical consciousness. Authors like Ben Lerner, Colson Whitehead, Dana Spiotta, Hari Kunzru, and Garth Greenwell have skillfully crafted novels that are deeply influenced by the past. Through the clever use of flashbacks, historical parallels, and non-sequential narrative arrangements, they emphasize the re-emergence of historical structures and circumstances in the twenty-first century. 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 complexities of their past, they are compelled to confront the ongoing crises that continue to exert a profound influence on their present lives.

Weight: 326g
Dimension: 155 x 233 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474463454