Defining Literary Postmodernism for the Twenty-First Century

Description

This book presents a definition of literary postmodernism, using detective and science fictions as a frame. Through an exploration of both prior theoretical approaches, and indicators through characteristics of postmodernist fiction, this book identifies a structural framework to both understand and apply the lessons of postmodernism for the next generation. Within a growing consensus that the postmodern era has passed, this book examines the different conceptions of postmodernism and posits a meaningful definition, one which can provide the foundation for future literary expression. This theory is then applied to genre fiction, particularly detective fiction and science fiction, demonstrating that postmodernism is found in the structure, rather than questions posed about literary expression. Finally, Matthias Stephan considers post-postmodern movements, and how they can be expressed given this definition of literary postmodernism, moving forward to the twenty-first century. Front Matter ....Pages i-xiii Introduction (Matthias Stephan)....Pages 1-10 Front Matter ....Pages 11-11 What Do the Theorists Say (and How Do They Fit)? (Matthias Stephan)....Pages 13-32 Characteristically Postmodern (Matthias Stephan)....Pages 33-51 Mapping the Space of Postmodernism (Matthias Stephan)....Pages 53-77 Front Matter ....Pages 79-79 Whodunit? And How Do We Know? (or Do We?): The Structure of the Epistemological Investigation in Detective Fiction (Matthias Stephan)....Pages 81-120 What World Is This? Who Am I (in It)?: The Structure of the Ontological Formation in Science Fiction (Matthias Stephan)....Pages 121-162 The Postmodern Novel: How It All Comes Together, in a Rhizomatic Way (Matthias Stephan)....Pages 163-181 Coda: What Comes Next? (Or What to Do with a Problem Called Postmodernism?) (Matthias Stephan)....Pages 183-201 Back Matter ....Pages 203-206