Discussion → What is modern folk literature?
-
I'm not looking for a academic definition here. It's an honest question. If you could imagine a genre of American literature that could be called "modern folk", what kinds of work would that genre contain?
Me, I like to think of modern folk like this. It's a less extreme version of the cowboy story. The heroes are usually lone wolf types, but they're decidedly human. There are no superheroes in modern folk -- no Paul Bunyans or Buffalo Bills. They are flawed, and their flaws are plain to see. Modern folk stories, then, follow these characters as they cope with their flaws in extraordinary (but by no means unbelievable) situations.
What else would you add to this? Or would you change it completely?
Group Description
This group is dedicated to prose and poetry about the things that are iconic American traditions. Muscle cars. Football. Cheeseburgers. Long stretches of open road. Dirt and soot. Sweat and beer.
The group is also about the characters that make these stories come to life. The broad-shouldered hero. The lone wolf. The cowboy. The cheerleader and the roadside waitress.
Of course, your American traditions may differ. They're welcome here, too.
This is a public group.
Anyone can see it and join.