Marginality in the contemporary British novel

By Nicola Allen

Subjects: Marginality, Social, in literature, English fiction, English fiction, history and criticism, 21st century, English fiction, history and criticism, 20th century, English fiction, history and criticism, 19th century, History and criticism, Marginality, social

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.