Understanding Hubert Selby Jr. (Understanding Contemporary American Literature) (Hardcover)

~ James R. Giles (Author)
Key Phrases: behavioral sink, Last Exit, The Room, Song of the Silent Snow (more...)

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Product Description

Since the publication in 1964 of his novel "Last Exit to Brooklyn", which arguably achieved the status of a cult classic, Hubert Selby, Jr., has held a place as one of the foremost exponents of American underground literature. His work has yet to receive extensive critical attention, in part because of its deliberately shocking subject matter and its resistance to precise classification. In "Understanding Hubert Selby, Jr.", James R. Giles examines the writer's four novels and one collection of short stories to make the case that the full complexity of his fiction has not previously been understood. Giles contends that Selby's writings, which are usually labelled as either "naturalistic" or "surrealistic", represent an innovative merger of both narrative modes. In addition to "Last Exit to Brooklyn", Giles provides close readings of "The Room", "The Demon", "Requiem for a Dream", and Selby's little-known collection of short stories, "Song of the Silent Snow".

Product Details

• Hardcover: 164 pages
• Publisher: University of South Carolina Press (February 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1570031762
• ISBN-13: 978-1570031762
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #949,546 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Deepens the experience, June 24, 2008

By	Ahsan Butt - See all my reviews

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Giles' analysis of Selby's major works offers deep insights into these powerful pieces of literature. He delves into the psychological state of Selby's characters, common themes that run through all the works, allusions to influential literature, and Selby's evolution as a writer and person. His treatments of Last Exit to Brooklyn (Bloomsbury Classic Reads) and Requiem for a Dream: A Novel are especially illuminating.

Giles' observations are clearly expressed and most importantly, he isn't trying to convince you of HIS profundity, which is so common of authors writing this sort of thing. He's focused on the texts and explaining what they mean and how the various elements of the story relate to Selby's overall vision.

My one complaint with Giles' work is that it's short. It's 164 very small pages that you will get through in 1 or 2 reading sessions. That said, the analysis will likely make you re-read Selby's works and deepen your experience of them.