Minor Transpacific: Triangulating American, Japanese, and Korean Fictions

Minor Transpacific explores the hidden dialogue and imperial concordances between Zainichi and Korean American literatures, revealing the trajectory and impact of both bodies of work. It proposes a new way of conceptualizing Asian American literature by articulating moments of contact between minority literatures in a third national space.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 27 July 2021
Publisher: Stanford University Press

Korean American literature, along with Asian American literature as a whole, is often perceived as a field of study that solely focuses on two spaces: the United States and Korea. Similarly, in the study of Korean Japanese (Zainichi) literature, the focus is often limited to Japan and Korea. However, this book argues that both fields must consider three spaces: Korean American literature must confront the legacy of Japanese imperialism in the United States, while Zainichi literature must account for American interventions in Japan. By comparing Korean American authors like Younghill Kang, Chang-rae Lee, Ronyoung Kim, and Min Jin Lee with Zainichi authors like Kaneshiro Kazuki, Yi Yang-ji, and Kim Masumi, Minor Transpacific reveals their hidden dialogue and imperial concordances, shedding light on the trajectory and impact of both bodies of work.

Minor Transpacific serves as a crucial bridge between the fields of Asian studies and Asian American studies, unveiling new connections between Zainichi and Korean American literatures. Working in Japanese and English, David S. Roh develops a theoretical framework for articulating the moments of contact between minority literatures in a third national space and proposes a fresh perspective on conceptualizing Asian American literature.

In conclusion, this book challenges the narrow view of Korean American literature and Asian American literature as solely revolving around two spaces and highlights the importance of accounting for three spaces. By comparing Zainichi and Korean American literatures, Minor Transpacific reveals hidden dialogues and imperial concordances, contributing to a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between these two regions and their respective literatures. This work opens up new avenues for research and scholarship in the fields of Asian studies and Asian American studies, fostering a more inclusive and interdisciplinary approach to the study of literature and culture.

Weight: 504g
Dimension: 160 x 235 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781503611764