Product Description

The Fiction of Postmodernity is a significant and accessible new study of the relation of postmodern fiction to theories of the postmodern. Contemporary works of fiction by novelists such as Don DeLillo, Toni Morrison, Salman Rushdie, Thomas Pynchon and Martin Amis are viewed in relation to critiques of the 'culture industry', analyses of the 'postmodern condition' and theories of simulacra. The work of influential theorists of the postmodern - such as Theodor Adorno, Jean-Francois Lyotard, Fredric Jameson and Jean Baudrillard - is explained and compared. The book offers descriptions of the postmodern from both the Marxist critical tradition and from the perspective of postmarxism. Key features in both these definitions are explained in relation to modernist and postmodern works of fiction. Issues relating to the postmodern representation of history and the development of a postmodern politics are also addressed in relation to works of contemporary fiction. Key Features *Substantial readings of fiction by major contemporary authors (e.g.Thomas Pynchon, Salman Rushdie, Don DeLillo) *Introduces influential theories of the postmodern (Fredric Jameson, Jean-Francois Lyotard, Jean Baudrillard) *Analysis of the relationships of modernism and the avant-garde to postmodernism *Focuses on the critical potential of postmodernism and postmodern fiction

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1712094 in Books
• Published on: 2000-04-25
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 232 pages

About the Author
Stephen Baker is a Lecturer in English at South Bank University, London and author of The Fiction of Postmodernity(2000).

Customer Reviews

Rather unhelpful survey
I'm afraid this book was not very helpful to me due to its complexity and inaccesibility. Students of contemporary British or North American literature will not find this survey of use unless they have a very deep knowledge of Marxist literary criticism and its history. Also, the writing is dense and - I'm sorry to say- rather boring. I did not find this title a helpful companion to my studies.

a good up-to-date survey
Stephen Baker's study focuses on the relationship between theories of the postmodern and postmodern fiction. It is extremely useful for students of literature that are constantly having to deal with complex theories in the field of cultural studies when trying to contextualize literary works. It provides a brief but clear survey of influential theorists such as Lyotard, Baudrillard and Jameson, with a stronger emphasis on postmarxism and then a detailed study of contemporary fiction. A must for students of contemporary American or British fiction.