`Naomi Mandel's exceedingly well edited collection of essays provides us with the first, long overdue, book-length account of one of the most controversial and reviled of all American authors. A brave undertaking that goes against the received wisdom of much academic and middle-brow literary criticism, this volume offers many surprising insights through close, lucid, frequently ingenious, and always astute encounters with Ellis's work...An indispensable, and immensely teachable, resource for anyone interested in Ellis's work but also provocative for the study of contemporary literary culture in general.' Marco Abel, Associate Professor of English and Film Studies, University of Nebraska, USA<BR><BR>`A must for any scholar and, indeed, with the editor's introduction, for any student or reader of contemporary American literature.' Laszlo B. Sari, Lecturer in the Department of Literatures and Cultures in English, University of Pecs, Hungary