Places and Spaces of Crime in Popular Imagination

The book Places and Spaces of Crime in Popular Imagination explores the growing interest in popular literary genres, particularly crime-related ones, and emphasizes the role of place in these genres. It highlights the postmodern spatial turn, with an increased emphasis on the location of crime as a socio-geographical place and space. The volume brings together scholars from the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia and explores how place and space are employed in selected works of crime fiction, crime comics, and crime film. It documents a shift from the traditional country setting to the more recent urban focus and highlights the contribution of place and space to the genre's atmosphere of suspense and secrets. The book provides a unique insight into this growing phenomenon and is a valuable resource for academics.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 118 pages
Publication date: 23 May 2023
Publisher: Uniwersytet Jagiellonski, Wydawnictwo

The book titled "Places and Spaces of Crime in Popular Imagination" is a significant contribution to the field of literary studies, particularly in the realm of 20th and 21st-century English literature. It reflects a growing interest among readers and scholars alike in popular literary genres, which have previously been under-researched. This book specifically focuses on crime-related genres and explores the evolving role of place in these narratives.

The publication's emphasis on place is justified, as it aligns with the postmodern spatial turn, characterized by an increased emphasis on the location of crime. This shift extends beyond the traditional notion of the crime scene and encompasses socio-geographical places and spaces. The book brings forth various aspects of this new role of place in popular genres, centering on crime, and provides ample space for a deeper analysis of this topic.

While the researchers do not aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the theoretical discussion of place and space in literature, the collection showcases practical applications of these concepts in the selected works. The seven chapters are written by scholars from the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia, each contributing their expertise to the field. Two essays in particular focus on London as a topos and a chronotope in the works of contemporary British writers of crime fiction.

The selection of these works aims to demonstrate the diverse literary approaches to place and space, highlighting their significance in shaping the narratives and characters within these genres. By examining the ways in which place is employed in popular crime fiction, the book offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between literature, geography, and social context.

In conclusion, "Places and Spaces of Crime in Popular Imagination" is a valuable addition to the literature on place and space in contemporary literature. It contributes to the growing body of research in this field and provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of the evolving role of place in popular genres. The book's interdisciplinary approach and diverse contributions make it an essential resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in exploring the relationship between literature, geography, and crime.

Weight: 206g
Dimension: 156 x 235 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9788323349808