Afropean Female Selves: Migration and Language in the Life Writing of Fatou Diome and Igiaba Scego

Afropean Female Selves: Migration and Language in the Life Writing of Fatou Diome and Igiaba Scego explores the life writing of two contemporary female authors of African descent who live in Europe and write in different languages (French and Italian). Their work complicates Western understandings of life writing and autobiography, encapsulating the new and complex identities of contemporary Afropeans. The book examines the different trajectories and packaging of these two writers in the Francophone and Italophone contexts, highlighting how and where each author practices life writing strategies. It also explores the trend that emphasizes the life writing, autofictional, or autoethnographic strategies of African diasporic writers.

Format: Hardback
Length: 188 pages
Publication date: 31 October 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Afropean Female Selves: Migration and Language in the Life Writing of Fatou Diome and Igiaba Scego delves into the rich tapestry of writing produced by two contemporary female authors. Both authors hail from the African continent, reside in Europe, and have chosen to express their experiences through diverse languages, namely French and Italian. Their work intertwines personal anecdotes and challenges prevailing notions of life writing and autobiography. As Hogarth demonstrates in this insightful study, the works of Diome and Scego encapsulate the multifaceted identities of contemporary Afropeans. This identity, coined and widely embraced by prominent authors and critics across Europe, Africa, and North America, holds a prominent position in the forefront of cultural analyses. However, within this debated category, each writer occupies distinct and unique positions. While Scego emerges as a post-migratory subject in the postcolonial landscape of Europe, Diome is an African writer who has embarked on a journey to Europe in her adult years. This book undertakes a comparative examination of the distinct trajectories and approaches taken by these two exceptional postcolonial writers within the Francophone and Italophone contexts. It highlights how and where each author employs life writing strategies, while also scrutinizing the prevailing trend that emphasizes the life writing, autofictional, or autoethnographic approaches of African diasporic writers.

Afropean Female Selves extends the exploration of a concept that has primarily been examined in English to encompass two languages. It delves into the intricacies of this emerging discursive category and situates it in relation to other notions of Afrodiasporic identity, such as Afropolitan and Afro-European. By undertaking a comparative analysis across these linguistic boundaries, the book offers a fresh perspective on the multifaceted identities of contemporary Afropeans and their experiences of migration and language. It sheds light on the ways in which these authors navigate the complexities of cultural translation, blending their African heritage with the diverse tapestry of European cultures. Through their life writing, Diome and Scego contribute to the growing body of literature that challenges stereotypes and promotes a more inclusive understanding of the African diaspora.

Weight: 520g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032067889