Аннотация

The article addresses the issue concerning the reaction of American writers towards the tragic events of September 11, 2001. In the wake of it William Heyen, an editor and writer, appealed to American writers, poets, essayists representing diverse spectrum of backgrounds, approaches and attitudes that comprise American literary scene today to express their response to the events of September 11. Their passionate reactions were collected in a book which presented their searing memoirs, letters, essays, poems and brief fictions. Among the contributors are more than 100 American writers including such well known figures as John Updike, Lucille Clifton, Erica Jong and others. Their reactions vary depending on class, gender or ethnicity but the wish to understand the root causes of the occurence brings all these writers together.