From Library Journal
Despite the title, the introduction to this work cautions readers to be wary of such labels as "postmodernism" and to think more generally of "a highly complex set of ideas or tendencies." The work itself examines texts from the early 1960s whose common trait is the rejection of realism, however defined. Part 1, "Overview Articles," is divided into Postmodern Fiction (13 essays) and Criticism (2 essays). Part 2, "Authors and Critics of Postmodern Fiction," consists of some 100 short bio-bibliographical essays that include notes and selected bibliography of primary and secondary sources. The scope of the work is broad, with European and Latin American influences well represented. Recommended for collections that emphasize fiction of the past two decades. Charles E. Perry, Central Coll. Lib., Pella, Iowa
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
?A useful guide to postmodern fiction, this work is divided into two parts; a series of overview articles covering the major themes and stylistic tendencies that most postmodern fiction shares; and individual author entries of three to four pages that include a brief biographical and critical survey of the author and a selected bibliography of primary and secondary sources. . . . Postmodern Fiction is recommended for academic libraries where postmodern fiction is taught because of the additional authors covered, the updated information on some other authors, the excellent index, and the overview articles.?-Choice
?Despite the title, the introduction to this work cautions readers to be wary of labels such as postmodernism' and to think more generally of a highly complex set of ideas or tendencies.' The work itself examines texts from the early 1960s, whose common trait is the rejection of realism, however defined. Part 1, Overview Articles, ' is divided into Postmodern Fiction (13 essays) and Criticism (2 essays). Part 2, Authors and Critics of Postmodern Fiction, ' consists of some 100 short bio-bibliographical essays that include notes and selected bibliography of primary and secondary sources. The scope of the work is broad, with European and Latin American influences well represented. Recommended for collections that emphasize fiction of the past two decades.?-Library Journal
?What can be said is that the bio-bibliographical accounts are almost uniformly intelligent, informative, fair-minded, discriminating, and enthusiastic--a feat all the more to be admired given the fact that each discussion averages only about three pages and manages to include in that brief space description, criticism and evaluation, some biographical information, and lists of primary as well as secondary sources. In short, readers will find themselves extremely well served by the reference section of the volume.... One should note too the helpful bibliography of postmodern criticism with which the volume ends. Like his editorial principles, McCaffery's introductory essay is generous and tolerant: a sensible, commonsensical, and imaginative survey of the nature and history of postmodernism that sets a high standard for his contributors to match. . . . Postmodern Fiction is a major reference guide that, because it so amply and admirably fulfills its editor's aim, should be consulted by all students of the field and that, even as the field continues to grow and change, its likely to serve as a point de repere for a good many years to come. What we take away from the book, besides a variety of intelligent viewpoints, a good deal of useful information, and a host of challenging ideas, is a sense of postmodernism as something, in the words LeClair uses to describe his novelists of excess and performance, at least potentially both deconstructive and reconstructive?-Alan Wilde Temple University
"A useful guide to postmodern fiction, this work is divided into two parts; a series of overview articles covering the major themes and stylistic tendencies that most postmodern fiction shares; and individual author entries of three to four pages that include a brief biographical and critical survey of the author and a selected bibliography of primary and secondary sources. . . . Postmodern Fiction is recommended for academic libraries where postmodern fiction is taught because of the additional authors covered, the updated information on some other authors, the excellent index, and the overview articles."-Choice
"Despite the title, the introduction to this work cautions readers to be wary of labels such as postmodernism' and to think more generally of a highly complex set of ideas or tendencies.' The work itself examines texts from the early 1960s, whose common trait is the rejection of realism, however defined. Part 1, Overview Articles, ' is divided into Postmodern Fiction (13 essays) and Criticism (2 essays). Part 2, Authors and Critics of Postmodern Fiction, ' consists of some 100 short bio-bibliographical essays that include notes and selected bibliography of primary and secondary sources. The scope of the work is broad, with European and Latin American influences well represented. Recommended for collections that emphasize fiction of the past two decades."-Library Journal
"What can be said is that the bio-bibliographical accounts are almost uniformly intelligent, informative, fair-minded, discriminating, and enthusiastic--a feat all the more to be admired given the fact that each discussion averages only about three pages and manages to include in that brief space description, criticism and evaluation, some biographical information, and lists of primary as well as secondary sources. In short, readers will find themselves extremely well served by the reference section of the volume.... One should note too the helpful bibliography of postmodern criticism with which the volume ends. Like his editorial principles, McCaffery's introductory essay is generous and tolerant: a sensible, commonsensical, and imaginative survey of the nature and history of postmodernism that sets a high standard for his contributors to match. . . . Postmodern Fiction is a major reference guide that, because it so amply and admirably fulfills its editor's aim, should be consulted by all students of the field and that, even as the field continues to grow and change, its likely to serve as a point de repere for a good many years to come. What we take away from the book, besides a variety of intelligent viewpoints, a good deal of useful information, and a host of challenging ideas, is a sense of postmodernism as something, in the words LeClair uses to describe his novelists of excess and performance, at least potentially both deconstructive and reconstructive"-Alan Wilde Temple University
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Caffery /f Larry /r ed.
affery /f Lawrence /i F. /r ed.
