Gendering Civil War: Francophone Women's Writing in Lebanon

This book is the first to explore the intersection of narrative studies, trauma, and gender in non-western literature, specifically focusing on Lebanese francophone novels by first- and second-generation women writers from the 1970s to the present. It offers in-depth analysis of theories and literary analysis and advances new theories on the body, narratology, and trauma. The writers in contemporary Lebanon face challenging and often violent dynamics in a multi-ethnic postcolonial society, and this book examines how they use narrative forms to address issues of violence, war trauma, and gender relations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

In contemporary Lebanon, writers navigate a complex terrain characterized by challenging and often violent dynamics within a multi-ethnic postcolonial society. These writers face specific and pressing problems related to cultural and political forces, which significantly impact their lives and work. This book delves into French-language narratives published between the 1970s and the present day by Lebanese women writers, with a particular focus on the civil war of 1975-1991. By examining a corpus of writings by authors such as V nus Khoury-Ghata, Etel Adnan, Evelyne Accad, Andre Chedid, Hyam Yared, and Georgia Makhlouf, some of which have previously received limited or no scholarly attention, the book offers an innovative approach to exploring the intersection of narrative studies, trauma, and gender in the context of non-western literature.

Through a comprehensive analysis of these narratives, the book seeks to understand how Lebanese francophone women writers have employed distinctive narrative forms to address interrelated issues of violence, war trauma, and gender relations. By examining the ways in which these writers depict and analyze the experiences of women during the civil war, the book sheds light on the complex ways in which gender, ethnicity, and historical context shape the narratives of trauma and resilience.

The book also advances new theories on the body, narratology, and trauma, offering insights into the ways in which these phenomena intersect and influence the construction of narratives. By drawing on a range of theoretical frameworks, including feminist theory, postcolonial theory, and trauma studies, the book provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the ways in which Lebanese francophone women writers have responded to the challenges of living in a post-conflict society.

In conclusion, this book is a groundbreaking contribution to the field of narrative studies, trauma studies, and gender studies. By examining the narratives of Lebanese francophone women writers in the context of the civil war, the book offers a fresh and original analysis that sheds light on the complex ways in which gender, ethnicity, and historical context shape the experiences of trauma and resilience. The book also advances new theories on the body, narratology, and trauma, which will be of interest to scholars and students of these fields.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474499279