Food, Text and Culture in the Anglophone Caribbean

Diasporic writers negotiate their identities through and with food, exploring concepts of culinary 'tradition and 'authenticity in Caribbean cookery writing. Food is often central to the question of what it means to be Caribbean, especially in diasporic and globalized contexts.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 27 June 2019
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield International

Food, Text & Culture in the Anglophone Caribbean explores the intricate relationship between food and narrative in the Caribbean, highlighting how the creation of food and the creation of narrative are intimately linked cultural practices that can provide valuable insights into each other. Throughout history, Caribbean writers have utilized food and food-related practices as a means to express, define, and reaffirm their diverse cultural, ethnic, caste, class, and gender identities. Through vivid descriptions of feeding, feasting, fasting, and other food rituals and practices, Caribbean writings have played a significant role in fostering social cohesion and cultural continuity. Moreover, food takes center stage in the question of what it means to be Caribbean, particularly in diasporic and globalized contexts.

The book offers the first comprehensive study of food and writing in an Anglophone Caribbean context, making it an invaluable resource for undergraduates, postgraduates, and scholars alike. By examining a wide range of Caribbean writings, the book explores the various ways in which food is used to convey cultural values, beliefs, and practices, as well as the ways in which food is shaped by and shapes the broader cultural landscape.

One of the key themes explored in Food, Text & Culture in the Anglophone Caribbean is the tension between the local and the global, between the foodways of the past and the present. Caribbean writers have often grappled with the challenge of balancing their cultural heritage with the demands of modernity, globalization, and the diaspora. This tension is particularly evident in the way that Caribbean food is represented in popular media and in the way that Caribbean cuisine is adapted and reinterpreted in different parts of the world.

Another important theme explored in the book is the concept of culinary 'tradition and 'authenticity. Caribbean writers have often been criticized for perpetuating stereotypes and for failing to recognize the diversity and complexity of Caribbean foodways. However, the book argues that Caribbean cuisine is a dynamic and evolving culinary tradition that is constantly being shaped by new influences and innovations.

The book also explores the ways in which food is used to negotiate identity and belonging in the Caribbean diaspora. For many Caribbean immigrants, food is a way to connect with their cultural roots and to maintain a sense of identity in a new and unfamiliar environment. However, the process of negotiating identity through food can be complex and challenging, as Caribbean foodways are often associated with particular social and economic classes and as Caribbean immigrants may face discrimination and marginalization in their new homes.

In addition to its academic significance, Food, Text & Culture in the Anglophone Caribbean is also a rich and engaging read. The book is filled with vivid descriptions of Caribbean food and food-related practices, as well as with personal anecdotes and reflections from Caribbean writers and scholars. The book also includes a range of recipes, which allow readers to experience the flavors and textures of Caribbean cuisine firsthand.

Overall, Food, Text & Culture in the Anglophone Caribbean is a groundbreaking book that sheds new light on the relationship between food and narrative in the Caribbean. By examining a wide range of Caribbean writings, the book offers valuable insights into the ways in which food is used to express, define, and reaffirm cultural identities, as well as the ways in which food is shaped by and shapes the broader cultural landscape. Whether you are a student of Caribbean literature, a foodie, or simply interested in the ways in which food and culture intersect, this book is a must-read.

Weight: 466g
Dimension: 155 x 228 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783486618