Defining Literary Postmodernism for the Twenty-First Century

This book presents a definition of literary postmodernism, using detective and science fictions as a frame. Through an exploration of both prior theoretical approaches, and indicators through characteristics of postmodernist fiction, this book identifies a structural framework to both understand and apply the lessons of postmodernism for the next generation. Within a growing consensus that the postmodern era has passed, this book examines the different conceptions of postmodernism and posits a meaningful definition, one which can provide the foundation for future literary expression. This theory is then applied to genre fiction, particularly detective fiction and science fiction, demonstrating that postmodernism is found in the structure, rather than questions posed about literary expression. Finally, Matthias Stephan considers post-postmodern movements, and how they can be expressed given this definition of literary postmodernism, moving forward to the twenty-first century.

1. Introduction. - Part I Defining Postmodernism. - 2. What Do the Theorists Say (and How Do They Fit)? . - 3. Characteristically Postmodern. - 4. Mapping the Space of Postmodernism. - Part II Postmodernism in Praxis. - 5. Whodunit? And How Do We Know? (or Do We?): The Structure of the Epistemological Investigation in Detective Fiction. - 6. What World Is This? Who Am I (in It?)? : The Structure of the Ontological Formation in Science Fiction. - 7. The Postmodern Novel: How It All Comes Together, in a Rhizomatic Way. - 8. Coda: What Comes Next? (Or What to Do with a Problem Called Postmodernism?).