The Novels And Short Stories Of Frederick Barthelme: A Literary Critical Analysis (Studies in American Literature)

In this study of the minimalist Frederick Barthelme, Hughes (English, Valencia Community College) gives Barthelme a place in the continuity of American literature and, in so doing, gives minimalism a vigorous defense. He highlights Barthleme’s concerns with moral problems, such as finding ways to live in the present moment and to negotiate the surpluses of material goods and lack of absolutes and standards of behavior in the contemporary world. Hughes remains careful, however, to respect Barthleme’s lack of moral prescription. Annotation (c)2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)