Realism has been disparaged for over a hundred years as an outmoded form, and, more recently, as a pernicious illusion, typical of nineteenth-century novels and Hollywood movies alike. After a long period of disrepute, realism has had in recent years something of a revival among critics and theorists. Yet this revival still represents a minority, and much of the old critique of realism remains taken for granted. This book treats realism as a persistent aspect of narrative in American culture, especially after World War II. It does not seek to elevate realism above other forms of fictional narrative - that is, to restore it to some real or imagined past supremacy. Rather, the goal is to reclaim realism as a narrative practice that has remained vital despite a long history of critical disapproval, by showing how it functions in significant recent works across media.
| ISBN: | 9781009660099 |
| Publication date: | 4th December 2025 |
| Author: | David R Shumway |
| Publisher: | Cambridge University Press |
| Format: | Hardback |
| Pagination: | 197 pages |
| Series: | Cambridge Studies in American Literature and Culture |
| Genres: |
Literary theory Film, television, radio and performing arts genres |
Realism has been disparaged for over a hundred years as an outmoded form, and, more recently, as a pernicious illusion, typical of nineteenth-century novels and Hollywood movies alike. After a long period of disrepute, realism has had in recent years something of a revival among critics and theorists. Yet this revival still represents a minority, and much of the old critique of realism remains taken for granted. This book treats realism as a persistent aspect of narrative in American culture, especially after World War II. It does not seek to elevate realism above other forms of fictional narrative - that is, to restore it to some real or imagined past supremacy. Rather, the goal is to reclaim realism as a narrative practice that has remained vital despite a long history of critical disapproval, by showing how it functions in significant recent works across media.
American Narrative Realism features in the following genres: Literary theory, Film, television, radio and performing arts genres
American Narrative Realism is available in Hardback
American Narrative Realism was written by David R Shumway and published by Cambridge University Press
American Narrative Realism has 197 pages
Yes it is part of Cambridge Studies in American Literature and Culture series
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