Fabrication of American Literature

Explore the intricate world of literary deception in Lara Langer Cohen's insightful work, Fabrication of American Literature, published by the University of Pennsylvania Press in 2011. Spanning 256 pages, this compelling book delves into a rich archive of magazine fiction, verse satires, comic almanacs, false slave narratives, minstrel song-sheets, and early literary criticism. Cohen uncovers the controversies surrounding literary fraudulence that characterized the antebellum period, revealing how these controversies shaped and transformed American literature. With a focus on themes of truthfulness and falsehood, this book is essential for anyone interested in the complexities of American literary history and criticism. Don't miss the chance to gain a deeper understanding of how literary fabrications influenced the cultural landscape of the United States.