Introduction

A cultural overview

Texts, writers and contexts. The neo-victorian novel: A. S. Byatt, Peter Carey and Sarah Waters; extended commentary: Sarah Waters, Fingersmith (2002); Contemporary theatre: Sarah Kane, Mark Ravenhill and David Hare; extended commentary: David Hare, Stuff happens (2004); Contemporary Black British writing: Hanif Kureishi, Zadie Smith and Monica Ali; extended commentary: Monica Ali, Brick lane (2003); New diversities in contemporary poetry: Grace Nichols, Fred D'aguiar and Carol Ann Duffy; extended commentary:Carol Ann Duffy, Rapture (2005); Gender and sexuality in the contemporary novel: Jeanette Winterson, Alan Hollinghurst and Helen Fielding; extended commentary: Alan Hollinghurst, The line of beauty (2004); Writing the self: contemporary autobiography: Frank Mccourt, Lorna Sage and Jackie Kay; extended commentary: Jackie Kay, The adoption papers

Critical theories and debates. Haunting the past: representing the twentieth century; Post-millennial dystopias; Constructing contemporary childhood; Readers and writers today: celebrity, book clubs and prizes

References and resources

Timeline

Annotated further reading.