Kinship Across the Black Atlantic: Writing Diasporic Relations

This book explores the meaning of kinship across black Atlantic diasporas in the Caribbean, Western Europe, and North America through readings of six contemporary novels. It combines insights from postcolonial studies, queer theory, and black Atlantic diaspora studies to examine how contemporary writers engage with the legacy of anthropological discourses of kinship, interrogate the connections between kinship and historiography, and imagine new forms of diasporic relationality and subjectivity. The novels considered offer sustained meditations on the meaning of kinship and its role in diasporic cultures and communities, demonstrating how displacement and migration require and generate new forms and understandings of kinship, and how kinship can be used as an instrument of both political oppression and resistance.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 210 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2022
Publisher: Liverpool University Press

This captivating book delves into the profound exploration of kinship within black Atlantic diasporas across the Caribbean, Western Europe, and North America. Through a thoughtful examination of six contemporary novels, it unravels the intricate tapestry of familial relationships and their impact on individuals and communities. By drawing upon and seamlessly blending insights from postcolonial studies, queer theory, and black Atlantic diaspora studies, the author offers a fresh and innovative perspective on the legacy of anthropological discourses on kinship. This exploration is conducted in novel ways, shedding light on the ways in which contemporary writers engage with the past, interrogate the connections between kinship and historiography, and envision new horizons of diasporic relationality and subjectivity.

The novels considered in this text provide a rich tapestry of meditations on the meaning of kinship and its role within diasporic cultures and communities. They serve as poignant representations of diasporic kinship, situated within the context and crosscurrents of historical and contemporary forces such as slavery, colonialism, migration, political struggles, and artistic creation. These novels vividly showcase how displacement and migration necessitate the emergence of new forms and understandings of kinship, while also demonstrating how kinship can be wielded as a tool for both political oppression and resistance.

Furthermore, this book underscores the vital role of literature in imagining possibilities for alternative forms of relationality and in finding a language to express the profound essence of those relationships. It suggests that a comprehensive analysis of discourses and practices of kinship is indispensable in understanding the complexities of diasporic modernity at the dawn of the twenty-first century. By delving into the intricacies of familial bonds and their profound impact on individuals and societies, this book offers valuable insights into the rich tapestry of human experiences and the enduring power of kinship in shaping our world.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781802077353