Ethics and Desire in the Wake of Postmodernism

What
is the significance of writing in the wake of postmodernism? The previous
decade has seen a growing interest in criticism of postmodern ethics and
aesthetics from theorists and writers. This book begins to answer what art form
or critical methodology might take its place.

 

Exploring
the work of six contemporary novelists - Bret Easton Ellis, J.G. Ballard, Will
Self, Michel Houellebecq, Tama Janowitz and Chuck Palahniuk - Ethics and
Desire in the Wake of Postmodernism delivers a series of interventions into
six key areas of contemporary debate: fear, nihilism, revolution, ethics,
enjoyment and feminism. The book goes on to develop an innovative critical
methodology which reinvigorates the ability of art and literature to engage in
ideological critique. Rather than valorising separatism, plurality or
indeterminacy, this approach delivers a critical framework which enacts a
radical de-centering of the fundamental coordinates of contemporary society.