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Next: Young American Writers on the New Generation
Next Young American Writers on the New Generation Editor Liu started The Next Generation, a magazine featuring political and cultural commentary by writers in their twenties and early thirties to counteract the negative stereotypes of the so-called Generation X rampant in mainstream media. Liu concedes the fact that his generation is a "postboomer" group, but he reminds us that, like all age gr... more »oups, his has a unique sensibility. It is also an amalgam of distinct individuals with specific points of view. This anthology of vibrant personal essays by 16 young writers proves Liu's point. There are no shrinking violets here, no brats, no wage slaves, and no slackers: these writers are blunt, informed, opinionated, articulate, and well versed in dodging the bombast of our cowardly times. Hard-line feminism comes in for some drubbing in Karen Lehrman's commonsense celebration of flirting and gender differences, while Lisa Palac writes in praise of pornography and sexual autonomy. African American poet Paul Beatty's peppery and anecdotal "What Set You From, Fool?" explores issues of identity, while David Bernstein, "half black and half Jewish," assures us that much of America will look like him in the next century: "walking embodiments of the melting pot." -Donna Seaman, booklist« less