{"product_id":"the-irresponsible-self-on-laughter-and-the-novel","title":"The Irresponsible Self: On Laughter and the Novel","description":"\"James Wood has been called our best young critic. This is not true. He is our best critic; he thinks with a sublime ferocity.\"--Cynthia Ozick\n\nFollowing the collection The Broken Estate--which established James Wood as the leading critic of his generation--The Irresponsible Self confirms Wood's preeminence, not only as a discerning judge but also as an appreciator of contemporary novels.\n\nIn twenty-three passionate, sparkling dispatches, he effortlessly connects his encyclopedic, passionate understanding of the literary canon with an equally earnest and appreciative view of the most discussed authors writing today, including Franzen, Pynchon, Rushdie, DeLillo, Naipaul, David Foster Wallace, and Zadie Smith.\n\nThis collection includes Wood's famous and controversial attack on \"hysterical realism\", and his sensitive but unsparing examinations of White Teeth and Brick Lane. The Irresponsible Self is indispensable reading for anyone who cares about modern fiction.\u003cbr\u003eASIN: 0312424604\u003cbr\u003eVSKU: BVV.0312424604.G\u003cbr\u003eCondition: Good\u003cbr\u003eAuthor\/Artist:Wood, James\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNote:\u003c\/b\u003e Any images shown are stock photographs and product may differ from what is shown.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Notes\u003c\/b\u003e: The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact  including the dust cover, if applicable . Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.  \u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Blue Vase Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43334998065213,"sku":"BVV.0312424604.G","price":5.89,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0589\/4225\/9261\/files\/0312424604-0.jpg?v=1783713657","url":"https:\/\/www.bluevasebooks.com\/products\/the-irresponsible-self-on-laughter-and-the-novel","provider":"Blue Vase Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}