Description
Lively, provocative, highly partisan, this book bases its case foursquare on the traditional Christian view of the nature of man. The questions Mr. Fuller asks about current writing are in terms of the images of man to be found in this writing-and their implications. He discusses "the new compassion," sex and censorship, the characterization of women, clinical fiction, conformity, the "new total depravity," and the concept of the "beat" generation. He deals at length and in detail with, among others, James Jones, Norman Mailer, John W. Aldridge, Nelson Algren, Tennessee Williams, Jack Kerouac, William H. Whyte, Jr., Herman Wouk, and John Steinbeck.
Here is a book of literary criticism that vigorously dissents from current literary fashion. Mr. Fuller is angry, yet has the saving grace of a well-developed sense of humor, and in his approach to current cults of violence, psychologism and naturalism, he chooses most often to laugh his opponents out of court. The appearance of single chapters in various journals has already aroused considerable comment; the book is sure to provoke more. ISBN:0394434803
