Title: Alternate worlds: a study of postmodern antirealistic American fiction
Abstract: Plot, character, setting and theme, according to John Hawkes, perhaps first post-World War II antirealist, constitute the true enemies of novel. Working from that position, John Kuehl looks at 11 literary traits post modern antirealist finds user friendly, in a pattern search through works of some of today's most imaginative writers - Barth, Barthelme, Coover, Gass, Pynchon and Vonnegut, to name only a few - from some who have made it to top of bestseller lists to other barely known outside academic circles. Framing study are an introduction by James W. Tuttleton, grouding contemporary works in context of early American writings by such countertraditionalists as Irving, Poe, Howells and Twain, and an interview in which editor challenges author as devil's advocate fro realists, thrus enriching both points of view.