The Rebirth of British Narrative: Innovation and Postmodernism (1940–1980s)

Post-War English Fiction: Realism and Innovation (1930s–1960s)

The Post-War Literary Landscape

Following the wars, the 1930s and 1950s saw a rejection of modernism in favor of realism and political themes within documentary and realistic forms. However, experimental novelists continued to push boundaries, including: Samuel Beckett, Flann O’Brien, Lawrence Durrell, and Malcolm Lowry.

Crisis and Recalibration in 1940s English Fiction

The 1940s marked a crisis in English fiction due to the disappearance and subsequent recalibration of old principles of cohesion, including racial and national identity, gender roles, and class structures. This period created significant opportunities for imaginative intervention in social change.

Debating Realism and Innovation

The ongoing debate between realism and innovation is exemplified by key works:

• Angus Wilson’s No Laughing Matter (1967): This work combined elements of a family saga (reminiscent of Galsworthy) with alternate narrators, dramatic interludes, parodies, and reflection on narrative structure.
• Iris Murdoch’s The Sea, The Sea (1978): This novel significantly broadened the possibilities of language and structure in English fiction.

International Influences on Novelistic Innovation

Innovation in the English novel was significantly influenced by developments in foreign literature:

• Ireland: James Joyce.
• France: Jean-Paul Sartre, André Gide, Alain Robbe-Grillet, and Roland Barthes.
• Italy: Italo Calvino.
• United States: Thomas Pynchon and Vladimir Nabokov.
• South America: Jorge Luis Borges and Gabriel García Márquez.

Literary Shifts in the 1970s and 1980s

Political and Economic Factors

The 1970s and 1980s brought profound changes to the literary landscape, driven primarily by political and economic shifts:

• Margaret Thatcher’s 1979 Election Victory: This ushered in economic liberalism, marking a break with Keynesian policies and state intervention.
• Policy Changes: Key policies included privatization, centralization of institutions (such as education), assaults on labor and trade unions, and attacks on the achievements of the welfare state.

Consequences and the Rise of Postmodernism

These political changes provoked strong reactions among novelists:

• Literary Response: The policies caused outrage and offended the sensibilities of many writers.
• Postmodernism: The era of Thatcher (Tory), Major (Tory), and Blair (Labour) contributed to the production of postmodern literature.

Promoting New Fiction: Journals and Prizes

New platforms emerged to promote innovative fiction:

• Influential Journals:
  • The New Review (featuring Ian McEwan, Julian Barnes, and Martin Amis) was known for transgressing traditional formats and content.
  • Granta showcased the newest works in fiction (established 1889, revived 1979).
  • New Statesman also remained a significant literary voice.
• The Booker Prize: Established in 1969, the prize is awarded annually to the best novel written in English and published in the United Kingdom, regardless of the author's nationality.

Marketing and the Rebirth of British Narrative

New marketing strategies helped revitalize British fiction:

• The Booker Marketing Council List: This list highlighted the 20 best British fiction writers under 40 years old, generating significant publicity.
• Waterstones Bookshops: The opening of the first Waterstones in 1982 revolutionized book retailing, displaying books as attractive consumer goods.

Outcome

These factors collectively led to the rebirth of British narrative in the 1980s.