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Writers Who Love Too Much: New Narrative Writing, 1977-1997

Henry James

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Published in Writers Who Love Too Much: New Narrative Writing 1977 1997

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In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a new generation of writers emerged on the literary scene. These writers were often young, gay, and working-class, and they wrote about their experiences with love, loss, and addiction in a raw and honest way. Their work was often experimental and challenging, and it helped to redefine what it meant to be a writer in the late 20th century.

The term "New Narrative" was first used by critic Robert Glück to describe the work of a group of writers that included Kathy Acker, Dennis Cooper, Cookie Mueller, and John Waters. These writers shared a commitment to writing about their own lives and experiences, and they often used unconventional forms and language to do so. Their work was often controversial, but it also helped to create a new space for queer and marginalized voices in literature.

In the 1990s, a new wave of New Narrative writers emerged, including writers such as Sarah Schulman, Eileen Myles, and Michelle Tea. These writers continued to explore the themes of love, loss, and addiction, but they also wrote about other topics such as gender, race, and class. Their work was often more political than that of the earlier New Narrative writers, and it helped to raise awareness of the experiences of marginalized communities.

Writers Who Love Too Much: New Narrative Writing 1977-1997

by Kevin Killian

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Language	:	English
File size	:	5117 KB
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Print length	:	165 pages

Today, New Narrative writing continues to be a vibrant and important part of the literary landscape. Writers such as Maggie Nelson, Roxane Gay, and Ocean Vuong are continuing to push the boundaries of what literature can do, and they are helping to create a more inclusive and representative literary landscape.

The Origins of New Narrative

The roots of New Narrative can be traced back to the early 1970s, when a group of young writers began to experiment with new forms and styles of writing. These writers were often influenced by the work of the Beat Generation, but they also wanted to create something new and different.

One of the most important influences on New Narrative was the work of Kathy Acker. Acker was a transgender writer who wrote about her own experiences with love, loss, and addiction in a raw and honest way. Her work was often experimental and challenging, but it also helped to create a new space for queer and marginalized voices in literature.

Another important influence on New Narrative was the work of Dennis Cooper. Cooper was a gay writer who wrote about his own experiences with love, loss, and addiction in a dark and disturbing way. His work was often controversial, but it also helped to push the boundaries of what literature could do.

The New Narrative Movement

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the New Narrative movement began to take shape. A group of writers, including Kathy Acker, Dennis Cooper, Cookie Mueller, and John Waters, began to publish their work in small magazines and chapbooks. Their work was often experimental and challenging, and it helped to redefine what it meant to be a writer in the late 20th century.

The New Narrative movement was not a cohesive group, and there was no single manifesto or set of principles that united its members. However, the writers who were associated with the movement shared a commitment to writing about their own lives and experiences, and they often used unconventional forms and language to do so. Their work was often controversial, but it also helped to create a new space for queer and marginalized voices in literature.

The Themes of New Narrative

The writers who were associated with the New Narrative movement often wrote about love, loss, and addiction. They also wrote about other topics such as gender, race, and class. Their work was often personal and confessional, and it often explored the dark side of human experience.

One of the most important themes in New Narrative is the theme of love. The writers who were associated with the movement often wrote about love in a complex and ambivalent way. They explored the joys and sorrows of love, and they often wrote about the ways in which love can be both destructive and redemptive.

Another important theme in New Narrative is the theme of loss. The writers who were associated with the movement often wrote about the loss of loved ones, the loss of innocence, and the loss of hope. Their work often explored the ways in which loss can shape our lives and our understanding of the world.

Finally, the writers who were associated with the New Narrative movement often wrote about addiction. They wrote about the ways in which addiction can destroy lives, and they also wrote about the ways in which addiction can be a source of solace and escape. Their work often explored the complex relationship between addiction and creativity.

The Legacy of New Narrative

The New Narrative movement was a significant force in the literary landscape of the late 20th century. The writers who were associated with the movement helped to redefine what it meant to be a writer, and they created a new space for queer and marginalized voices in literature. Their work continues to be read and studied today, and it continues to inspire new generations of writers.

Here are some of the writers who were associated with the New Narrative movement: