Cosmological Readings of Contemporary Australian Literature: Unsettling the Anthropocene

This book explores the relationship between contemporary Australian literature and the ecological crisis through a cosmological lens, highlighting the rich history of Indigenous land-ethics and cosmological thought. It offers cosmological readings of diverse authors to challenge the decline-narrative of the Anthropocene and reactivate 'cosmos as an ethical vision.

Format: Hardback
Length: 198 pages
Publication date: 22 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the realm of contemporary Australian literature, offering a fresh and imaginative perspective in the face of an unprecedented ecological crisis. While the Australian continent has undergone significant transformations due to British colonial rule, it is rich in Indigenous land-ethics and cosmological thought. By employing the ancient concept of 'cosmos,' which encompasses the order of the world, this book explores the Anthropocene in Australia, focusing on themes such as colonization, farming, mining, bioethics, technology, environmental justice, and sovereignty. Through the cosmological lens, it interrogates the decline narrative of the Anthropocene and presents a diverse range of authors, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, as a challenge to this narrative. By revitalizing 'cosmos' as an ethical vision and a counter-concept to the Anthropocene, this book offers a transformative perspective that can help us envision radical cosmologies of being in and with the planet.

Kathrin Bartha-Mitchell posits that the arts possess the power to enable us to envision transformative cosmologies that foster a deep connection with and responsibility towards the planet. By addressing the pressing social and environmental challenges of our time, this book appeals to scholars and students specializing in Ecocriticism, Environmental Humanities, postcolonial, transcultural, and Indigenous studies, with a primary focus on Australian, New Zealand, Oceanic, and Pacific area studies.

In conclusion, this book is a groundbreaking exploration of contemporary Australian literature within the context of the ecological crisis. By employing cosmological concepts and presenting a diverse range of authors, it offers a transformative perspective that challenges the prevailing narratives of decline and promotes a deeper understanding of our relationship with the planet. It is a valuable resource for scholars and students seeking to explore the intersection of literature, ecology, and social justice.

Weight: 550g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032319629