Marginality in the contemporary British novel
By: Nicola Allen.
Series: Continuum literary studies
Publisher: Continuum
Published: 2008
Place of publication: London; New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 191
ISBN-13: 9780826497062
Subjects: Marginality, Social, in literature; English fiction -- 19th century -- History and criticism; English fiction -- 20th century -- History and criticism; English fiction -- 21st century -- History and criticism
Description: "The 'Marginal' as a concept has become an integral part of the British novel as it stands at the turn of the century. Both popular and literary fiction since the mid-1970s has seen an increasing emphasis on the marginal subject. This study offers readings of a wide range of contemporary British novels that represent characters or communities at the margin of society." "Nicola Allen analyses three conceptual categories representing the marginal subject in the contemporary British novel: the character of the misfit or outsider; the emergence of the grotesque; and the rediscovery of previously marginalised narratives such as myth and fantasy. This monograph focuses on the contention that the contemporary novel of marginality conveys a belief in the socially transformative powers of narrative, and suggests that narrative has played a central role in bringing marginal politics and marginal issues to the fore in contemporary Britain."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [165]-182) and index.