From Empire to Anthropocene: The Novel in Posthistorical Times

Contemporary novels use narrative time to counter cultural homogenization and historical flattening, offering a new theory of critical globality. Betty Joseph examines time in contemporary life through five conceptual metaphors: specters, attachments, networks, markets, and assemblages, developing a mode of reading called conceptual-metaphorical performances. This book paves the way for a new literary theorization of contemporary Anglophone literature and contributes to cultural studies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 18 October 2023
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press

In her groundbreaking book, "From Empire to Anthropocene," Betty Joseph explores the fascinating ways in which contemporary fiction engages with the challenges of cultural homogenization and historical flattening. Through a captivating constellation of writers such as Jamaica Kincaid, Teju Cole, Hari Kunzru, and Barbara Kingsolver, Joseph delves into the intricate interplay of concrete and abstract temporalities, offering a novel theory of critical globality.

Joseph's exploration of time in contemporary life is conducted through five conceptual metaphors that have captivated literary, critical, and cultural studies: specters, attachments, networks, markets, and assemblages. She meticulously examines these terms, revealing their own temporal structures and linguistic complexities. By developing a mode of reading she calls conceptual-metaphorical performances, Joseph encapsulates the writers' intricate chronopolitical commitments and their unwavering resistance to the political paralysis inherent in the synchronous and flattened world-time of globality.

Rather than focusing solely on space, Joseph argues that time becomes the axis along which contemporary fiction challenges us to envision forms of coexistence and social collectivity amidst the precarious conditions of global capitalism and environmental damage. Through her insightful analysis, Joseph dismantles the notion that so-called English-language world literature precludes the possibility of historical analysis and social collectivity. By engaging with postcolonialism and Marxist theory in conversation with critical global and ecological perspectives, Joseph pioneers a new literary theorization of contemporary Anglophone literature, offering a fresh and invigorating perspective to the field of cultural studies.

In conclusion, "From Empire to Anthropocene" is a groundbreaking work that delves into the complex relationship between time, culture, and global politics. Through her meticulous analysis and innovative approach, Joseph offers a compelling vision for a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of world literature and its role in shaping our collective future. This book is a must-read for scholars, students, and anyone interested in the intersection of literature, culture, and social change.

Weight: 476g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781421446974