Diplomacy and the Modern Novel: France, Britain, and the Mission of Literature

Between 1900 and 1960, a number of writers in France and Britain had parallel careers in the diplomatic corps or frequented diplomatic circles. This essay collection examines diplomacy in French and British novels, focusing on temporality, style, comedy, characterization, and the professional liabilities attached to representing a state abroad. It suggests that modern fiction is a response to the increasing speed of communication, the decline of imperial power, and the ceding of old ways of negotiating to new.

Format: Hardback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 16 October 2020
Publisher: University of Toronto Press

Between 1900 and 1960, a significant number of writers in France and Britain pursued parallel careers in diplomatic corps or actively engaged with diplomatic circles. This includes notable figures such as Paul Claudel, Albert Cohen, Lawrence Durrell, Graham Greene, John le Carré, André Malraux, Nancy Mitford, Marcel Proust, and others. The allure of diplomacy for writers is a subject of interest, as is the inclination of diplomats to share their experiences through memoirs or novels. Diplomats, like novelists, possess a keen ability to describe situations with an eye for atmosphere, personalities, and impending crises. However, novels about diplomats often deviate from a solemn tone, instead embracing comedy or even farce. Diplomats, with their unique perspective of history and social transformation, tend to view the world from a long-term lens, which can sometimes make them appear out of sync with their contemporaries, particularly in the realm of fiction.

In this collection of essays, eleven contributors delve into diplomacy in French and British novels, with a particular focus on themes of temporality, style, comedy, characterization, and the professional challenges associated with representing a state abroad. The essays provide evidence from archival examples to support their arguments. The volume suggests that modern fiction, particularly fiction about diplomacy, is a response to the rapid pace of communication, the decline of imperial power, and the shift towards new modes of negotiation in international relations.

The essays explore various aspects of diplomacy in these novels, including the representation of diplomats as individuals with complex personalities, the comedic portrayal of diplomatic encounters, and the exploration of the tensions between personal and professional obligations. They also examine the ways in which fiction about diplomacy reflects the changing dynamics of international relations and the challenges faced by diplomats in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Overall, this collection offers valuable insights into the intersection of diplomacy and literature, shedding light on the ways in which writers and diplomats engage with the complexities of international relations and the role of fiction in shaping our understanding of these complex phenomena.

Weight: 562g
Dimension: 160 x 240 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781487508098