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Is there a term for this particular theme/device in "postmodern" novels?
I've been reading a few "postmodern" novels recently (I use inverted commas because I'm not entirely sure they are actually postmodern or whether that term is contested), and I've noticed a theme/device that runs through quite a few of them. The books I'm thinking of here as examples are The Sotweed Factor, Infinite Jest, Pale Fire, and anything by Pynchon.
The problem is, I find this theme/device quite difficult to describe. I guess it could be described as a mix of weird coincidences, bathos, and the downright silly. I lot of the time it's quite funny. It can also come in the form of something happening in the novel that's kind of at the limit of what we'd reasonably expect to happen in the world around us. Like it's highly unlikely, but also believable. I suppose maybe the thing I am describing is the way these books stretch credulity? Or play with credulity? They just seem generally quite playful compared to other books which are more sincere and straight down the line (e.g. I recently read The Brokers Karamazov and Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and they very much feel like straight narratives).
I'll try and illustrate what I mean with some examples. I've covered them up to avoid spoilers though!
1. There's a scene in The Sotweed Factor >!where two characters think they're about to drown. They hold on to each other, profess their respect and care for one another, and forgive each other their various infractions. Then, they find out the water is actually shallow enough to stand in and they're basically right next to an island, but just couldn't see it because it's dark. I found The Sotweed factor to be the best example of this theme/device. It's like every page had yet another weird coincidence, case of mistaken identity, or example of gross-out humour. I mean, the bit about the egg-plant...weird stuff...!<
2. In Pale Fire, >!towards the end, as assassin has food poisoning and there are some lines about his growing discomfort. I feel like this just wouldn't feature in a more "traditional" narrative. !<
3. In Gravity's Rainbow, >!the idea that a the places a man has had sex become the sites of V2 rocket strikes a few days later. !<
Basically, I wondered if there's a name for this style/device and where I could read more about it. I find it really interesting, as well as enjoyable to read. I guess it's just amusing? I suppose in the way that any sort of misdirection is amusing to us? Like you're being led one way and then suddenly the author goes off at a bit of a tangent with an unexpected line or development.
As a side note, I'm quite conscious that all of the authors I've mentioned here are men. What women authors are known for this? I'd like to read more!
#entertainment
I've been reading a few "postmodern" novels recently (I use inverted commas because I'm not entirely sure they are actually postmodern or whether that term is contested), and I've noticed a theme/device that runs through quite a few of them. The books I'm thinking of here as examples are The Sotweed Factor, Infinite Jest, Pale Fire, and anything by Pynchon.
The problem is, I find this theme/device quite difficult to describe. I guess it could be described as a mix of weird coincidences, bathos, and the downright silly. I lot of the time it's quite funny. It can also come in the form of something happening in the novel that's kind of at the limit of what we'd reasonably expect to happen in the world around us. Like it's highly unlikely, but also believable. I suppose maybe the thing I am describing is the way these books stretch credulity? Or play with credulity? They just seem generally quite playful compared to other books which are more sincere and straight down the line (e.g. I recently read The Brokers Karamazov and Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and they very much feel like straight narratives).
I'll try and illustrate what I mean with some examples. I've covered them up to avoid spoilers though!
1. There's a scene in The Sotweed Factor >!where two characters think they're about to drown. They hold on to each other, profess their respect and care for one another, and forgive each other their various infractions. Then, they find out the water is actually shallow enough to stand in and they're basically right next to an island, but just couldn't see it because it's dark. I found The Sotweed factor to be the best example of this theme/device. It's like every page had yet another weird coincidence, case of mistaken identity, or example of gross-out humour. I mean, the bit about the egg-plant...weird stuff...!<
2. In Pale Fire, >!towards the end, as assassin has food poisoning and there are some lines about his growing discomfort. I feel like this just wouldn't feature in a more "traditional" narrative. !<
3. In Gravity's Rainbow, >!the idea that a the places a man has had sex become the sites of V2 rocket strikes a few days later. !<
Basically, I wondered if there's a name for this style/device and where I could read more about it. I find it really interesting, as well as enjoyable to read. I guess it's just amusing? I suppose in the way that any sort of misdirection is amusing to us? Like you're being led one way and then suddenly the author goes off at a bit of a tangent with an unexpected line or development.
As a side note, I'm quite conscious that all of the authors I've mentioned here are men. What women authors are known for this? I'd like to read more!
#entertainment
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