《威廉·沃尔曼研究--后现代语境中的越界主题/美国后现代小说论丛》编著者钱程。

本书总结了沃尔曼文学创作的贡献和局限性。对越界意义的执着追寻让沃尔曼与众不同。敢于涉足别人不敢踏人的领域和用心理解边缘人物的悲苦命运是沃尔曼艺术创作的两大鲜明特点。他认为，观察和参与是作家创作的灵魂。多年来，沃尔曼以记者敏锐的眼光观察世界，并以最忠于事实的细节纪录所见所闻，但是他的作品又不乏纵横驰骋的想象力，且文笔优美，做到了事实与虚构的有机结合，将美国后现代主义的艺术特色发挥得淋漓尽致。难能可贵的是，沃尔曼将这些艺术手法与人文关怀结合起来，赋予底层人物应有的人格尊严。

Introduction

1. Vollmann's Life and Works

2. Critical Responses to Vollmann

3. The Theoretical Framework and Structure of the Book

Chapter One Writing on the Edge:Transgression in Vollmann's Postmodernist Artistic Worid

1.1 Vollmarm and His Transgressive Fiction

1.1.1 An Overview of Transgressive Fiction

1.1.2 The Characteristics of VoUmann's Transgressive Fiction

1.2 Transgressing Literary Genres: The Postrnodernist Blendings in the Works of Vollmann

1.2.1 The Blending of Journalism with Fiction in The Rainbow Stories

1.2.2 The Blending of Travelogue with Fiction in The Atlas

1.2.3 The Blending of Myth with Fiction in Seven Dreams Series

Chapter Two Beyond Marginality: Transgression over SocialLimits in The Rainbow Stories

2.1 Towards a Poetics of Marginality

2.1.1 An Overview of the Notion of Marginality

2.1.2 Vollmann's Perception and Practice of Marginality

2.2 Searching for Limits: Transgression among "the Marginalized Selves" in The Rainbow Stories/89

2.2.1 Transgressive Freedom: The Skinheads in "The White Knights"

2.2.2 Transgressive Fantasy: The Fetishist in "The Green Dress"

2.2.3 Transgressive Hatred: The Psychotic Killer in "The Blue Yonder"

Chapter Three Beyond Erotic Desire: Transgressinn into Disgrace in Vollmann's Prostitute Trilng

3.1 Towards a Theory of Eroticism

3.1.1 Defining Eroticism

3.1.2 Georges Bataille's Theory of Eroticism

3.2 Searching for Love and Salvation : Transgression among "the Degraded Selves" in Vollmann's Prostitute Trilogy

3.2. l Between Illusion and Reality: Searching for the Lost Love in Whores for Gloria

3.2.2 Between Passion and Pain: Searching for the True Love in Butterfly Stories

3.2.3 Between Beauty and Ugliness : Seeking Salvation Through Love in The Royal Family

Chapter Four Beyond Integrity: Transgression over Moral Principles in Europe Central

4.1 Towards an Ethics of Integrity

4.1.1 Defining Integrity

4.1.2 Contemporary Theories of Integrity

4.1.3 Zygmunt Bauman's Postmodern Perspective on Ethics

4.2 Striving for Integrity : Moral Transgression among "the Fragile Selves" in Europe Central

4.2.l The "Betrayal" of Integrity: Moral Responsibilities of the Generals in "Breakout" and "The Last Field-Marshall"

4.2.2 The Quest for Integrity: Moral Dilemmas of a German Soldier in "Clean Hands"

4.2.3 Survival with Integrity : Moral Compromises of a Russian Composer in "Opus 110"

Conclusion

Appendix

Chronology of William Vollmann

Works Cited

Acknowledgments