Description
Narratives of the Simulacrum
Book Summary
This essay proposes an in-depth analysis of how contemporary literature reflects and transcribes the phenomenon of the "simulacrum," a key concept in philosophy and sociology since the eighties. Jesús Montoya examines the transformation of the gaze and the construction of the real in a world permeated by audiovisual technologies and mass media. A fundamental work for understanding the intersection between literary narrative, visual culture, and social criticism.
What is it about?
Starting from the concept of "simulacrum" coined by thinkers like Baudrillard, the author analyzes how literary texts have incorporated and problematized the loss of a real referent in favor of a mediated and constructed reality. Throughout its pages, the narrative strategies that writers employ to represent a sensorium characterized by the saturation of images, virtuality, and the spectacularization of experience are explored. The book not only describes this phenomenon but also unravels the aesthetic and political implications of writing in the age of global communication.
Main themes
- The concept of simulacrum in contemporary critical theory.
- The transformation of the gaze and perception in the mass media age.
- Literature and visual culture: how literary texts engage with film, television, and the digital environment.
- The construction of the real and the crisis of representation in current narrative.
- The impact of audiovisual technologies on literary production.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at students and researchers of literature, literary theory, philosophy, and cultural studies. It will also be of great interest to academically trained readers who wish to delve into the relationships between narrative, media, and contemporary society. Its rigorous and specialized approach makes it particularly suitable for those seeking a solid theoretical analysis, rather than a popular introduction.
What this book contributes
- A systematic and updated reading of one of the central concepts of postmodern thought applied to literature.
- Critical tools for analyzing how literary fiction responds to media saturation and the culture of the image.
- A bridge between philosophical theory and narrative practice, offering concrete examples of literary texts.
- An interdisciplinary perspective that enriches both literary study and cultural analysis.
Technical specifications
- Author: MONTOYA JUÁREZ, JESÚS
- Publisher: Editum. Ediciones de la Universidad de Murcia
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: LITERATURE: HISTORY AND CRITICISM
- Collection: EDITUM ENSAYO
- Binding: Other
- Publication date: Not specified
- Number of pages: 374
- Weight: 860 g
Editorial assessment
This is a high-level academic essay that competently addresses a central issue in contemporary cultural debate. Its value lies in the ability to articulate theory and textual analysis, offering the specialized reader a solid interpretive framework for understanding current narrative. It is a reference work for those researching literature in its media and technological context.