Introduction: a theory of capitalist realism / Alison Shonkwiler and Leigh Claire La Berge -- We can't afford to be realists: a conversation / Jodi Dean and Mark Fisher -- Adultery, crisis, contract / Andrew Hoberek -- Things break apart: James Kelman, Ali Smith, and the neoliberal novel / Alissa G. Karl -- Things as they were or are: on Russell Banks's global realisms / Phillip E. Wegner -- Capitalist realism and serial form: the fifth season of The wire / Leigh Claire La Berge -- Like some dummy corporation you just move around the board: contemporary Hollywood productions in virtual time and space / J.D. Connor -- Anti-capitalism and anti-realism in William T. Vollmann's Poor people / Caren Irr -- Beyond realism / Michel W. Clune -- Capitalism and reification: the logic of the instance / Timothy Bewes -- Communist realism / Joshua Clover -- Afterword: unreal criticism / Richard Dienst.