Anticolonial Form: Literary Journals at the End of Empire

Anticolonial Form: Literary Journals at the End of Empire explores the relationship between culture and politics in two European journals published by African writers, arguing for a comparative and transnational approach to postcolonial literary studies. It highlights the significance of literary journals in the development of African writing in French, Portuguese, and English and emphasizes the contingent and fugitive connections fostered between writers in the context of decolonization.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 22 February 2024
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Anticolonial Form: Literary Journals at the End of Empire delves into the intricate interplay between culture and politics through the examination of two influential journals published in Europe by African writers. Présence Africaine, founded in Paris in 1947, and Mensagem, which appeared between 1948 and 1964 in Lisbon, serve as focal points for this scholarly exploration. Drawing upon extensive archival research, the book advocates for a comparative and transnational approach to postcolonial literary studies, highlighting the pivotal role of literary journals in the development of African writing in French, Portuguese, and English. Moreover, it emphasizes the need for a historically and geographically contingent understanding of the complex relationships between literature, culture, and politics.

In its endeavor to unravel the intricate connections fostered by networks of literary journals during the era of decolonization in the 1950s and 1960s, this book adopts the concept of articulation. It argues that comparison, both as a praxis and a method, played a central role in the anticolonial charge of these journals. Through their pages, we witness an ongoing back-and-forth between writing from and about various parts of the colonial world, a recursive effort to establish the transference and adaptation of ideas and analyses across different regions.

Many scholars have compellingly argued that the institutionalized practice of comparison within the field of comparative literature is intricately linked to histories of colonialism. Reza's argument assumes particular significance within this context, as she focuses on the anticolonial comparison, offering a distinct tradition of relational praxis from which to contemplate connection and comparison.

By exploring the relationship between culture and politics through the lens of these literary journals, Anticolonial Form: Literary Journals at the End of Empire contributes to our understanding of the complex dynamics that shaped postcolonial societies. It sheds light on the ways in which writers, through their literary contributions, challenged dominant narratives, advocated for social change, and forged new connections across cultural boundaries. This book serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in exploring the rich tapestry of African literature and its role in shaping the world we live in today.

Weight: 520g
Dimension: 220 x 145 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198896319