This collection convenes diverse analyses of David Lynch’s newly conceived, dreamlike neo-noir representations of the American West, a first in studies of regionalism and indigeneity in his films. Twelve essays and three interviews address Lynch’s image of the American West and its impact on the genre. Fans and scholars of David Lynch’s work will find a study of his interpretations of the West as place and myth, spanning from his first feature film, Eraserhead (1977), through the third season of Twin Peaks in 2017. Symbols of the West in Lynch’s work can be as obvious as an Odessa, Texas street sign or as subtle as the visual themes rooted in indigenous artistry. Explorations of cowboy masculinity, violence, modern frontier narratives and representations of indigeneity are all included in this collection.

Rob E. King is an associate librarian at Texas Tech University’s Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library and a doctoral student in English at Texas Tech University. He has contributed to 25YL, Blue Rose Magazine, Twin Peaks Unwrapped podcast and published in New American Notes Online and the West Texas Historical Review.

Christine Self, Ph.D. has worked in higher education for nearly 20 years. Her research interests include family involvement in higher education, the experiences of women in higher education, women’s and gender studies, and sexual violence prevention in higher education. She lives in Lubbock, Texas and serves as the director for Family Outreach and Engagement at Texas Tech University, Parent & Family Relations.

Robert G. Weaver is the manuscript archivist within Texas Tech University’s Southwest Collection/Special Collections Library, where he coordinates making both physical and digital archival collections available. He served as editor of the West Texas Historical Review for the West Texas Historical Association.

Edited by Rob E. King, Christine Self and Robert G. Weaver
Foreword by John Thorne
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages:
Bibliographic Info: appendix, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2022
pISBN: 978-1-4766-8208-2
eISBN: 978-1-4766-4705-0
Imprint: McFarland