The rise of the climate change novel

Axel Goodbody, Adeline Johns-Putra

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16 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This chapter outlines the emergence of climate fiction and its key modes. It pays particular attention to the extent to which climate fiction has worked within the established conventions of literary realism, meeting the many representational challenges mounted by climate change. While it considers the extent to which realism is able to render the abstract and intangible phenomenon of climate change visible, it argues that there is also a significant body of writing on the subject which turns to alternative forms and narrative strategies in the effort to represent climate change, and manages to overcome some of the limitations of realism. In other words, where climate fiction meets the challenges of representing climate change, it has the potential to provide a space in which to address the Anthropocene’s emotional, ethical, and practical concerns.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationClimate and Literature
EditorsAdeline Johns-Putra
Place of PublicationCambridge UK
PublisherCambridge University Press
Chapter14
Pages229-245
Number of pages17
Edition1st
ISBN (Electronic)9781108505321
ISBN (Print)9781108422529
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Climate change
  • Climate fiction
  • Fiction
  • Genre
  • Realism

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