
Key Concepts in Contemporary Popular Fiction
Edinburgh University Press
Published on 25. January 2017
Book
Paperback/Softback
160 pages
978-1-4744-1105-9 (ISBN)
Description
A jargon-free guide to the key terms, concepts, and theoretical approaches to contemporary popular fiction
Key Concepts in Contemporary Popular Fiction represents an invaluable starting point for students wishing to familiarise themselves with this exciting and rapidly evolving area of literary studies. It provides an accessible, concise and reliable overview of core critical terminology, key theoretical approaches, and the major genres and sub-genres within popular fiction. Because popular fiction is significantly shaped by commercial forces, the book also provides critical and historical contexts for terminology related to e-books, e-publishing, and self-publishing platforms. By using focusing in particular on post-2000 trends in popular fiction, the book provides a truly up-to-date snapshot of the subject area and its critical contexts.
Key Features
Provides an engaging and knowledgeable overview of critical terminology and theoretical approaches used by critics working within the fieldIntroduces readers to the most recent trends and newest terms, including 'Nordic Noir', 'New Adult Fiction', 'Cli-Fi' (Climate Change Fiction), 'Mash-up' and 'Flash Fiction' as well as significant terms related to fan fiction and web-publishing platforms such as WattPadIncludes an annotated further reading list to crime; horror; romance; fantasy; Science Fiction and comic books/graphic novels Supplies a chronology, providing readers with a historical overview of the major popular novels, critical approaches, and technological innovations
Key Concepts in Contemporary Popular Fiction represents an invaluable starting point for students wishing to familiarise themselves with this exciting and rapidly evolving area of literary studies. It provides an accessible, concise and reliable overview of core critical terminology, key theoretical approaches, and the major genres and sub-genres within popular fiction. Because popular fiction is significantly shaped by commercial forces, the book also provides critical and historical contexts for terminology related to e-books, e-publishing, and self-publishing platforms. By using focusing in particular on post-2000 trends in popular fiction, the book provides a truly up-to-date snapshot of the subject area and its critical contexts.
Key Features
Provides an engaging and knowledgeable overview of critical terminology and theoretical approaches used by critics working within the fieldIntroduces readers to the most recent trends and newest terms, including 'Nordic Noir', 'New Adult Fiction', 'Cli-Fi' (Climate Change Fiction), 'Mash-up' and 'Flash Fiction' as well as significant terms related to fan fiction and web-publishing platforms such as WattPadIncludes an annotated further reading list to crime; horror; romance; fantasy; Science Fiction and comic books/graphic novels Supplies a chronology, providing readers with a historical overview of the major popular novels, critical approaches, and technological innovations
Reviews / Votes
A rewarding book suitable for many fields from the Sociology of Literature to Cultural Studies, Key Concepts in Contemporary Popular Fiction should be recommended reading for undergraduates in English, Literary Criticism, Social Theory, and American Studies. [...] It is a clear, useful, and rather inexpensive resource, and even public libraries would benefit from owning it. -- Yves Laberge * Irish Journal of American Studies 9 * Bernice Murphy's excellent guide to the rapidly changing field of contemporary popular fiction explores every nook and cranny from 'Aga Sagas' to Zombie fiction, leaving no stone unturned. Theoretically acute, historically informed and written with immense verve, this is an indispensable and, above all, accessible introduction that is certain to reach a wide and diverse readership. -- David Glover, University of SouthamptonMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Edition type
Annotated edition
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 193 mm
Width: 124 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
159 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4744-1105-9 (9781474411059)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Bernice M. Murphy is an Associate Professor and Lecturer in Popular Literature in the School of English, Trinity College, Dublin. She has published extensively on topics related to American Gothic and horror fiction and film and was recently academic consultant to The Letters of Shirley Jackson (2021, edited by Laurence Jackson Hyman). Bernice was made a Fellow of Trinity College Dublin in 2017.
Editor
Associate Professor/Lecturer in Popular LiteratureTrinity College, Dublin
Professor of American LiteratureTrinity College Dublin
Content
Foreword
A-Z of Key Concepts and Terms
Key Critical and Theoretical Approaches to Popular Fiction
Six Major Popular Genres (and one Popular Mode):
Fantasy
Horror
Science Fiction
Crime
Romance
The Thriller
The Comic Book/Graphic Novel
15 Key Works of Contemporary Popular Fiction
Chronology of Selected Key Dates in Popular Fiction
Bibliography for A-Z Section
A-Z of Key Concepts and Terms
Key Critical and Theoretical Approaches to Popular Fiction
Six Major Popular Genres (and one Popular Mode):
Fantasy
Horror
Science Fiction
Crime
Romance
The Thriller
The Comic Book/Graphic Novel
15 Key Works of Contemporary Popular Fiction
Chronology of Selected Key Dates in Popular Fiction
Bibliography for A-Z Section