Hybrid Fictions: American Literature and Generation X FROM THE PUBLISHER
Since the 1960s, academics have theorized that literature is on its way to becoming obsolete or, at the very least, has lost part of its power as an influential medium of social and cultural critique. This work argues against that misconception and maintains that contemporary American literature is not only alive and well but has grown in significant ways that reflect changes in American culture during the last twenty years. In addition, this work argues that beginning in the 1980s, a new, allied generation of American writers, born from the late 1950s to the early 1970s, has emerged, whose hybrid fictions blend distinct elements of previous American literary movements and contain divided social, cultural and ethnic allegiances. The author explores psychological, philosophical, ethnic and technological hybridity. The author also argues for the importance of and need for literature in contemporary America and considers its future possibilities in the realms of the Internet and hypertext. David Foster Wallace, Neal Stephenson, Douglas Coupland, Sherman Alexie, William Vollmann, Michele Serros and Dave Eggers are mong the writers whose hybrid fictions are discussed.
FROM THE CRITICS
Library Journal
In this study of the current state of American literature, Grassian (English, Temple Univ.) makes a strong case for hybridity and eclecticism as its most distinctive features, combining aspects of earlier American literary movements with conflicting viewpoints and blended forms. Analyzing the works of writers born from the late 1950s to the early 1970s, Grassian maintains that American literature has grown significantly in the last two decades, showing signs of various hybridities-ethnic, psychological, philosophical, political, and technological. Sherman Alexie, Douglas Coupland, Dave Eggers, Richard Powers, Michele Serros, Neal Stephenson, William Vollmann, and David Foster Wallace each receive extended treatment. Grassian suggests that hybridity may be a transitional trend to a new literary movement but is more likely to endure for a while as it gives the artist great freedom. This study enriches the reader through its careful consideration of the broad range of hybridities in the works of each writer and in works by writers alluded to in passing. Highly recommended for academic and large public libraries.-Carolyn M. Craft, Longwood Univ., Farmville, VA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
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