all fiction is critical fiction
Posted in Collision, definitions, Gene Wolfe, Technique on Sep 25th, 2013
Well this certainly suggests a working definition of the critical fiction : “Is and is not; this is a common Wolfe modality, here referring to the way all these stories are both imitations and commentaries on the originals, or else they are new creations that simply interact on the side with some other literature. Either […]
Posted in definitions, distinctions, Jean Rhys, Precursors, Wendy Walker, ‘I disdain “categories”’ on Mar 29th, 2012
To the Editor of the TLS Sir, Part of the task of the reviewer is to consider the book at hand as literature, that is, a written work that functions within a context. One part of that context is the history of earlier works that will illuminate the book under review. Context also reveals the […]
Posted in definitions, Jean Rhys, Jorge Luis Borges, Precursors, Wendy Walker, ‘I disdain “categories”’ on Dec 7th, 2011
Here is the introduction to Wendy Walker’s new book, My Man and other Critical Fictions (For a full size view click on individual pages, or for a full size pdf view click here). To buy the book, follow the My Man tab up top. [HWW]
Posted in definitions, examples, Technique, Wendy Walker, ‘I disdain “categories”’ on Nov 5th, 2011
My Man and other Critical Fictions Wendy Walker. Temporary Culture, $22.50 (138p) ISBN 978-0-9764660-7-9 A critical fiction, as publisher Henry Wessells explains in his introduction to this collection of eight eclectic tales, is “a work of art that explicitly declares itself as a critique of another work of literature.” Mixing collage and Burroughs-esque cut-up technique […]
Posted in definitions, Wendy Walker, ‘I disdain “categories”’ on Oct 26th, 2011
The Critical Fiction Symposium, held at the Grolier Club in New York City last night, was a success on all counts. Wendy Walker’s book, MY MAN AND OTHER CRITICAL FICTIONS was published and the beautiful subscribers issue was also on view. An engaged and intelligent audience of approximately 35 to 40 people gathered to see […]
Posted in definitions, examples, influence, Wendy Walker, ‘I disdain “categories”’ on Oct 14th, 2011
Temporary Culture and Henry Wessells are pleased to announce a Critical Fiction Symposium on Tuesday 25 October 2011 to celebrate the publication of a new book by Wendy Walker. MY MAN & OTHER CRITICAL FICTION is an original collection of 8 critical fictions on Joseph Conrad’s Nostromo, King Lear, Olaudah Equiano, Harry Mathews, and other […]
Posted in definitions, examples, Technique, Tom Whalen, ‘I disdain “categories”’ on Jul 3rd, 2011
On Critical Fiction : Tom Whalen interviewed by Henry Wessells Tom Whalen is a novelist, poet, critic, short story writer, and (since 2008) visiting professor of film at the Staatliche Akademie der Künste in Stuttgart — his essay on Lola rennt (1998; Run Lola Run, 200) is wide ranging in its allusions and compelling […]
Posted in Collision, definitions, distinctions, Jorge Luis Borges, Wendy Walker, ‘I disdain “categories”’ on Jun 14th, 2011
This post on the CF Forum takes the form of a brief self interview by Wendy Walker and Henry Wessells, on the subject of the writings of Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges (with citations from his work). What aspects of the writings of Borges are most relevant to the critical fiction? Wessells : Extreme concision, […]
Posted in definitions, distinctions, influence, Tom La Farge, ‘I disdain “categories”’ on May 20th, 2011
Tom La Farge writes: Here’s what I’d say about critical fictions: that all writers are readers, that most writers are magpies, reading for the shiny threads they snatch up and carry off to their hoards, to be used in something they write sooner or later. You can’t call this “critical” on their part, even though […]
Posted in definitions, ‘I disdain “categories”’ on May 7th, 2011
A critical fiction is a piece of fiction* where form (story) and critical content are inseparable (and which explicitly addresses itself as a critique of another work of literature) * or poetry A reader asked for a definition of critical fiction in plain speech, and offered the following : — Would an even simpler definition […]