Love and Space in Contemporary African Diasporic Women's Writing: Making Love, Making Worlds

This book investigates how contemporary African diasporic women writers respond to the imbalances, pressures, and crises of twenty-first-century globalization by querying the boundaries between love and space. It explores a tendency among black feminist writers to emphasize the affective dimension of world-making and proposes strategies for reconfiguring postcolonial discourses to prioritize connection and intimacy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 282 pages
Publication date: 18 July 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the profound responses of contemporary African diasporic women writers to the intricate challenges and complexities of the twenty-first century. By exploring the boundaries between two distinct conceptual realms—love and space—it offers a groundbreaking exploration of the ways in which these writers navigate the imbalances, pressures, and crises brought forth by globalization. Through a systematic integration of critical love studies with research into the cultures of migration, diaspora, and refuge, the study pioneers new ground, offering a fresh perspective on the complexities of global interconnectedness.

In its examination of a notable trend among current black feminist writers, poets, and performers, the book delves into the emotional dimension of world-making. It ponders strategies for reconfiguring postcolonial discourses, challenging the traditional emphasis on alienation and rupture. The analyses of literary works and intermedia performances by renowned authors such as Chimamanda Adichie, Zadie Smith, Helen Oyeyemi, Shailja Patel, and Warsan Shire reveal a yearning to move beyond a familiar insistence on processes of isolation and towards a new, reparative emphasis on connection and intimacy.

Through their vivid portrayals and innovative storytelling, these writers envision possible inhabitable worlds where love and space intertwine, fostering resilience, empathy, and a sense of belonging amidst the turmoil of globalization. This book serves as a valuable contribution to the field of literary studies, shedding light on the ways in which diasporic women writers redefine the boundaries between cultures, genders, and geographies, and pave the way for a more inclusive and compassionate world.

Weight: 384g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030677565
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021