Addiction

Issue 8.3 – Special Issue "Contemporary Representations of Homelessness" Previous Issues

“The transient vigor of a man”: Home and Homelessness in Marilynne Robinson’s Home

By Dr Ben Screech Give me a home where the Buffalo roam Where the Deer and the Antelope play; Where seldom is heard a discouraging…

Issue 8.2 - Special Issue "Locating the Centre in Contemporary Literature" Previous Issues

Decentring the “Scumbag” Veteran

Sarah Collier July 13, 2020 No Comments Addiction autofiction Contemporary American Literature contemporary American trauma narrative Contemporary US Culture Decentring War Culture

“How do you get to be a scumbag?” wonders the veteran protagonist of Nico Walker’s novel, “Cherry”. A tale of war, dope fiends and bank robbery, Walker’s auto-fictional debut isn’t short of despicable people doing despicable things. The scumbag veteran, however, marks a striking departure from the veteran hero familiar to the contemporary cultural landscape.