Compatriots or Competitors?: Welsh, Scottish, English and Northern Irish Writing and Brexit in Comparative Contexts

This book explores the distinctive literatures and cultures that have developed in Wales, Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland since political devolution in the late 1990s, particularly surrounding Brexit. It argues that each nation is caught up in a creative tension between emulating and downplaying cultural connections to assert distinctiveness. The author examines various aspects of this cultural landscape, including the growth of the creative industries, the impact of Brexit, and British variations on Nordic Noir TV.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2022
Publisher: University of Wales Press

This groundbreaking comparative study delves into the unique literatures and cultures that have emerged in Wales, Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland since the late 1990s, particularly in the context of Brexit. The book argues that in defining their cultures as 'national,' each nation experiences a creative tension between emulating forms of cultural production found in the others to assert shared aspirations and downplaying those connections to cultivate a sense of cultural distinctiveness. The author explores these complex dilemmas through a series of chapters, examining the growth of the creative industries, the relationship between the UK City of Culture and its predecessor, the European Capital of Culture, national book prizes in Britain and Europe, British variations on Nordic Noir TV, and the impact of Brexit on literature.

Furthermore, Brexit itself is considered a factor that has widened the cultural differences among these nations, raising questions about the future of the UK. The study offers a comprehensive analysis of the evolving literary and cultural landscapes, shedding light on the complex interplay between national identity, cultural exchange, and global influences.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781786839343