Research Catalog

Title

Understanding Ron Rash / John Lang.

Author

Lang, John, 1947-

Publication

Columbia, South Carolina : University of South Carolina Press, [2014]

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

xii, 147 pages; 24 cm.

Summary

"In this first book-length study of Ron Rash's fiction and poetry, John Lang explores the nature and scope of Rash's achievements, introducing readers to the major themes and stylistic features of his work as well as the literary and cultural influences that shaped it. After a brief survey of Rash's life and career, Lang traces Rash's development through his fourteen books of poetry and fiction published through 2013. Beginning with Rash's first three collections of short fiction, Lang analyzes the author's literary style and techniques as well as Rash's richly detailed settings and characters drawn from the mountain South, primarily western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. Then, in an assessment of Rash's four volumes of poetry, Lang investigates their thematic and linguistic grounding in Appalachia and emphasizes their universal appeal, lyrical grace, and narrative efficiency. Moving to the early novels One Foot in Eden, Saints at the River, and The World Made Straight, Lang traces Rash's evolving narrative skills, intricate plotting, and the means by which he creates historical and philosophical resonance. Then Lang examines how vivid characters, striking use of dramatic techniques, and wide range of allusions combine in Rash's best-known book, which is also his most accomplished novel to date, Serena. After a study of Rash's most recent novel, The Cove, Lang returns to Rash's latest work in short fiction: his Frank O'Connor Award-winning Burning Bright and Nothing Gold Can Stay, both of which demonstrate his wide-ranging subject matter and characters as well as his incisive portraits of both contemporary Appalachian life and the region's history. An extensive bibliography of primary and secondary materials by and about Rash concludes the book. "--

Series Statement

Understanding contemporary American literature

Uniform Title

Understanding contemporary American literature.

Subject

• Rash, Ron, 1953- > Criticism and interpretation
• Rash, Ron, 1953-
• Dickinson, Emily, 1830-1886
• Whitman, Walt
• LITERARY CRITICISM / American / General
• LITERARY COLLECTIONS / American / General
• LITERARY CRITICISM / General
• Lyrik
• Natur
• Umwelt

Genre/Form

Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (pages 135-141) and index.

Contents

Understanding Ron Rash -- The Night the New Jesus Fell to Earth, Casualties, and Chemistry -- Eureka Mill, Among the Believers, Raising the Dead, and Waking -- One Foot in Eden, Saints at the River, and The World Made Straight -- Serena and The Cove -- Burning Bright and Nothing Gold Can Stay.

Call Number

JFE 15-2780

ISBN

• 9781611174113 (hardback)
• 1611174112 (hardback)
• 9781611174120 (ebook) (canceled/invalid)

LCCN

• 2014007288
• 40023955524
• 9781611174113

OCLC

878502426

Author

Lang, John, 1947- author.

Title

Understanding Ron Rash / John Lang.

Publisher

Columbia, South Carolina : University of South Carolina Press, [2014]

Type of Content

text

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Series

Understanding contemporary American literature

Understanding contemporary American literature.

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 135-141) and index.

Other Standard Identifier

40023955524

9781611174113

Research Call Number

JFE 15-2780