Literary Urban Studies and How to Practice It

Literary Urban Studies and How to Practice It is the first textbook in literary urban studies (LUS), which has grown since the humanities 'spatial turn of the 1990s and 2000s. It outlines the located qualities of literary narratives, texts, and events through three units: the concept of the city, methods and terms, and literary urban modes. It is designed for application to literatures and cities in any period and part of the world, and equips humanities researchers with interdisciplinary skills and ability to participate in activism and public debates.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 258 pages
Publication date: 23 November 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Literary Urban Studies (LUS) is a rapidly evolving field that has gained prominence since the humanities' spatial turn in the 1990s and 2000s. This comprehensive textbook, Literary Urban Studies and How to Practice It, serves as a foundational resource in this field. It illuminates and explores the rich tapestry of LUS, providing a comprehensive introduction to its principles, methodologies, and emerging directions.

The book begins by delving into the concept of the city and the essential tools required for investigating city literatures. It introduces key terms, methods, and frameworks that scholars employ to analyze and interpret urban narratives, texts, and events. The second section of the book is organized chronologically, showcasing how notions such as pre-modern, realist, modernist, postcolonial, and planetary manifest in nuanced explorations of actual writers, texts, and places. This section provides a historical context for understanding the evolution of LUS and its engagement with various literary and cultural traditions.

The third unit of the book explores literary urban modes, encompassing a wide range of genres, including fictional and non-fictional prose, poetry, dramatic city representation, and the theatre as urban spaces. It examines multiple key categories of place, including sacred spaces of religion, entry points such as railway stations and junctions, residential areas such as slums, suburbs, and mass housing districts, hubs of publishing and performance, and categories of the city such as ports and resorts. Each chapter includes key terms, reflection questions, and research tasks labeled "Research It" to support reference and learning. These tasks encourage readers to delve into new areas of LUS by engaging with neighboring disciplines like human geography, cultural history, sociology, and urban studies. Additionally, some research tasks equip users with specific skills of writing or documentation, enhancing their academic and professional abilities.

A thorough glossary of key terms and concepts is provided to aid the reader in navigating the complex terrain of LUS. The book is designed for application to literatures and cities across different periods and regions. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in exploring the intersections of literature, urbanism, and cultural analysis.

In conclusion, Literary Urban Studies and How to Practice It is a groundbreaking textbook that offers a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the field of LUS. It provides a rich tapestry of insights, methodologies, and perspectives, enabling readers to engage with the complexities of urban life and culture through the lens of literature. Whether one is a scholar, student, or simply passionate about cities and literature, this book is an essential resource for understanding and exploring the rich and dynamic world of LUS.

Weight: 412g
Dimension: 157 x 228 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367514457