Americanas, Autocracy, and Autobiographical Innovation: Overwriting the Dictator

The study of life writing and dictatorship in the Americas, particularly the efforts of women to rewrite or overwrite discourses of womanhood and nationalism in their countries' dictatorships, is explored in the book "Overwriting the Dictator." It covers five 20th-century autocratic governments and highlights how women's self-representation creates a counter-narrative that challenges and undermines dictatorial power.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Overwriting the Dictator is a comprehensive literary exploration that delves into the realm of life writing and the phenomenon of dictatorship in the Americas. Its central focus revolves around the remarkable stories of women who have courageously attempted to rewrite or overwrite the discourses of womanhood and nationalism within the dictatorships of their nations of origin. This project spans a period of five 20th-century autocratic governments, encompassing the totalitarianism of Rafael Trujillo's regime in the Dominican Republic, the Somoza family's dynasty in Nicaragua, the charismatic yet controversial influence of Juan and Eva Perón on the Argentine proletariat, the contentious rule of Fidel Castro following Cuba's 1959 revolution, and Augusto Pinochets coup d'état that transformed Chile into a police state.

Within each chapter, the book meticulously traces the emergence of innovative patterns in autobiographical form, while also discerning how specific autocratic methods of control either suppress or enable certain modes of self-representation. By foregrounding these dynamics, the book underscores the profound ways in which women's self-representation serves as a powerful counter-narrative, critiquing and undermining dictatorial power through the portrayal of women as self-aware, resilient subjects actively engaged in repositioning their gendered narratives of national identity.

Through its rich and nuanced analysis, Overwriting the Dictator offers a profound understanding of the complex interplay between life writing, dictatorship, and the agency of women in shaping historical narratives. It sheds light on the ways in which these women have navigated the constraints imposed by oppressive regimes, using their writing as a means of resistance and empowerment. By highlighting their stories, the book contributes to a broader understanding of the complexities of power, resistance, and the human spirit in the context of authoritarianism.

Weight: 460g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032335919