Masculinity in Male-Authored Fiction, 1950-2000

Tracing the influence of masculinity on fictional form and theme through an era of dizzying social change, this timely new book conducts a close analysis of English novels selected for contrasting definitions of the male gender, from the allegedly Angry Young Men to the contemporary confessions of Nick Hornby. The literary period since 1950 is interpreted as one of intense political and stylistic negotiation by male authors with the gendered subject-positions both of fictional characters and those who read about them.

Acknowledgements PART 1: INTRODUCTION Reading: Resisting Resistance Defining Masculinity (/-ies?) The Masculine Self PART 2: THE CONSOLATIONS OF CONFORMITY An Empirical Example (Middle-) Classless Aspirations Addressivity, Anxiety and Influence Good, Clean, Rational Fun 'Part-of-a-spending-spree and good-fun-for-all-concerned The Male Text? PART 3: THE CONTRADICTIONS OF PHILOSOPHY Outside the Hero A Mssculine Philosophy? Choosing to be Born The Essentialist Existentialist The Masculine Gaze PART 4: NON-CONFORMITY AND THE SIXTIES It Came From Inner Space In Sickness, Not in Health Writing the Male Body A Teenage Ball A Rational Rebellion PART 5: CREDIT FOR CONFESSION The Anti-Masculine Text The Women's Decades? Confessional Increments Hitting and Telling Ladlit The Daddy of Ladlit PART 6: CONCLUSIONS - READING TO BELIE THE BINARY Endnotes Bibliography Index