Contemporary Literature and the Body: A Critical Introduction

Contemporary Literature and the Body is a critical introduction to the field that explores how literature engages with issues of gender, race, sexuality, class, age, narrative form, and processes of reading and writing. It emphasizes the importance of scholarship on literature and the body in understanding these issues and explores how literary writing of present and recent decades is concerned with conveying physical experiences, experimenting with sensory perception, and thinking through the relationship between embodiment, identity, and knowledge.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 19 October 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Contemporary Literature and the Body: a Critical Introduction serves as an invaluable guide for readers seeking to delve into the intricate connections between literature and the human body. This comprehensive text offers a comprehensive exploration of key theorists and shifting critical trends within the field, spanning from 1940 to the present. By closely examining a diverse range of texts from various genres, the book argues that scholarship on literature and the body holds immense significance in addressing critical issues such as gender, race, sexuality, class, age, narrative form, and processes of reading and writing.

In its broad understanding of "literature," Contemporary Literature and the Body recognizes the fundamental interconnectedness of literature with changes in technology, culture, and the environment. This text provides a lively and accessible synthesis, delving into how literary writing from recent decades is actively engaged with the challenges of conveying physical experiences, experimenting with sensory perception, and critically contemplating the relationship between embodiment, identity, and knowledge.

Through its critical analysis, the book sheds light on the ways in which literature engages with the complexities of the human body, exploring themes such as embodiment, identity, and the intersection of physical and mental experiences. It encourages readers to think critically about the ways in which literature shapes our understanding of the body and vice versa, challenging traditional notions of literature and expanding our horizons of inquiry.

Whether you are an academic, a student, or simply a passionate reader, Contemporary Literature and the Body: a Critical Introduction offers a wealth of insights and perspectives that will deepen your understanding of literature and the body. By exploring the rich tapestry of literary works and the critical theories that inform them, this book provides a valuable resource for anyone seeking to explore the dynamic and ever-evolving relationship between these two powerful realms.

Weight: 338g
Dimension: 138 x 216 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350180154