Bangladeshi Literature in English: Critical Essays and Interviews

This book explores the tradition of Bangladeshi literature in English, including its historical setbacks and recent resurgence, through critical essays and interviews with prominent writers. It provides an overview of the thematic and stylistic issues in the works of selected writers and highlights the vibrancy and versatility of this evolving literary stream.

Format: Hardback
Length: 106 pages
Publication date: 22 February 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This groundbreaking work brings together a collection of thought-provoking essays on Bangladeshi writers in the English language, both at home and abroad, along with in-depth interviews with a renowned poet and a celebrated novelist. Over the years, there have been numerous endeavors to conceptualize and engage in discussions about the tradition of Bangladeshi literature in English. The language of English has had a presence in Bengal, which encompasses the geographical territory that now constitutes present-day Bangladesh, since the arrival of Ralph Fitch in 1583. Although Bengalis began exploring creative avenues in the language in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, the tradition faced significant challenges in Bangladesh and remained in a state of relative obscurity for various political and cultural reasons, which are explored in detail in the book. This exploration spans both the pre- and post-independence periods, highlighting the complexities and nuances of the literary landscape.

However, it is worth noting that the tradition has experienced a remarkable resurgence since the 1990s. Numerous writers have emerged on the domestic front and in communities where Bangladeshis have settled, including Australia, Canada, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The book offers a comprehensive overview of this evolving national and postcolonial literary stream, delving into the various thematic and stylistic concerns present in the works of the selected writers. It highlights the vibrancy and versatility of this literary tradition, which continues to evolve and shape the literary landscape of Bangladesh and beyond.

This book will be of immense interest to researchers, academics, and scholars engaged in the field of Bangladeshi writing in English, Southeast Asian literature, Asian literature, diasporic studies, and literary studies. The chapters included in this book were originally published in the Journal of Postcolonial Writing, further contributing to the ongoing discourse on Bangladeshi literature and its global impact.

Weight: 370g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032670355