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The Novel of the Fifties: A Literary Journey Through a Transformative Decade

Julio Cortázar

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Published in Glimmering Girls: A Novel Of The Fifties (Library Of American Fiction)

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Glimmering Girls: A Novel of the Fifties (Library of American Fiction)

by Merrill Joan Gerber

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	473 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	249 pages

The 1950s was a decade of great change in the United States. The post-war economic boom led to widespread prosperity, but it also created a sense of conformity and anxiety. The Cold War polarized the nation, and the Civil Rights Movement challenged the status quo. These social, political, and cultural changes had a profound impact on literature, and the novel of the fifties reflects the complex and contradictory nature of the decade.

The Novel of the Fifties is a collection of essays by leading scholars that explores the major themes and trends of American fiction during this period. The essays cover a wide range of topics, including the rise of the suburbs, the changing role of women, the impact of the Cold War, and the emergence of the Beat Generation. Through close readings of individual works, the essays illuminate the ways in which literature both reflected and shaped the social and cultural landscape of the fifties.

One of the most striking features of the novel of the fifties is its focus on the suburbs. After World War II, millions of Americans moved to the suburbs, seeking a better life for themselves and their families. The suburbs offered a sense of community and safety, but they also created a sense of isolation and conformity. In their essays, the contributors to The Novel of the Fifties explore the ways in which suburban life shaped the work of writers such as John Cheever, Richard Yates, and Sloan Wilson.

Another major theme of the novel of the fifties is the changing role of women. In the post-war era, women were increasingly entering the workforce and seeking greater independence. This led to a re-examination of traditional gender roles, and it also created new opportunities for women writers. In their essays, the contributors to The Novel of the Fifties discuss the work of writers such as Mary McCarthy, Grace Paley, and Doris Lessing, who explored the complex and often contradictory experiences of women in the fifties.

The Cold War also had a profound impact on the novel of the fifties. The fear of nuclear war and the threat of communism led to a sense of paranoia and anxiety. In their essays, the contributors to The Novel of the Fifties explore the ways in which the Cold War shaped the work of writers such as Norman Mailer, Kurt Vonnegut, and Philip Roth.

Finally, the novel of the fifties saw the emergence of the Beat Generation. The Beats were a group of writers and artists who rejected the materialism and conformity of the fifties. They sought inspiration in Eastern philosophy and jazz music, and they experimented with new forms of writing. In their essays, the contributors to The Novel of the Fifties discuss the work of writers such as Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and William S. Burroughs.

The Novel of the Fifties is a fascinating and insightful look at one of the most important decades in American history. Through the lens of literature, this book explores the social, political, and cultural changes that shaped the 1950s. The essays are written by leading scholars, and they provide a comprehensive overview of the major themes and trends of American fiction during this period.

Whether you are a scholar of American literature or simply a reader who is interested in the fifties, The Novel of the Fifties is a must-read. This book will give you a new understanding of this complex and contradictory decade.

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Glimmering Girls: A Novel of the Fifties (Library of American Fiction)

by Merrill Joan Gerber

5 out of 5