REBIRTH OF THE POSTMODERN DETECTIVE NOVEL

Abstract

Introduction. This paper analyzes narrative changes in the detective genre, especially the influence of post-modern era on its reformation. From a metaphysical perspective, such writers as Borges, Eco, Auster, Grillet etc., contributed new narrative techniques to detective fiction. Though it traces back to ancient literature, the detective genre is a product of the XIX th century American literature.Purpose. The paper aims at revealing the features of postmodern detective novel in the focus of fundamental theories of metaphysical detective story by interpreting the samples from the novels written in this genre. The main task of this study is to investigate the features of metaphysical detective fiction.Methods. The research is based on the methods of comparative analysis, structural analysis and textual analysis.Results. By researching metaphysical detective genre, the paper reveals that such significant components of postmodern theory as rhizomatic narrative structure, intertextuality, pastiche, and parody subverted classical form of the detective novel and established new literary genreas an anti-detective or metaphysical detective novel. The paper foregrounds that metaphysical detective story is used to raise a series of questions and suspicions; the author raises interest to a mystery and avoids resolving it by the reader.Conclusions. My research findings indicate that the metaphysical detective is a sub-genre of classical detective, which comprises metaphysical elements depicting author's philosophical views to universal values in a framework of the rhizomatic structure. Metaphysical detective genre is characterized in cultural-historical aspects where the historical facts are reminded to the reader by literary devices as pastiche, parody, intertextuality and rhizomatic maze.