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Home is where the art is: the rise of the epic domestic novel
Writing about home life doesn’t have to be humdrum argues the author of Natural Disaster – just look at world-spanning, taboo-shattering works such as Ducks, Newburyport and All Fours
TL;DR
- Domestic life, often depicted as mundane, is being re-imagined in contemporary literature as a source of epic narrative and philosophical depth.
- Authors are using the home environment to explore complex themes such as existentialism, the pursuit of perfection, and the shaping of identity.
- Memoirs about domesticity, like Rachel Cusk's, have faced criticism, suggesting that fiction offers a more forgiving medium for personal narratives.
- Works like "Ducks, Newburyport" and "All Fours" demonstrate that novels centered on home life can be expansive, challenging, and intensely engaging.
- The traditional view of home as merely a retreat is being challenged, with modern novels portraying it as an arena for significant personal and existential struggles.