Print Culture in Southern Africa

Print Culture in Southern Africa explores the institutions and processes that inform textual production, circulation, and consumption in the region from the late 18th century to the present day. It investigates the formation of reading publics, the relationship between print and politics, and transnational print culture, and offers interdisciplinary research and diverse methodologies. The volume contributes to current debates and opens up new ways to study postcolonial literature and African book history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 200 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Print culture in Southern Africa is a multifaceted and intricate field that encompasses the institutions and processes that shape textual production, circulation, and consumption in the region over a vast historical period, stretching from the late 18th century to the present day. This comprehensive book is organized around three interconnected themes:

Firstly, it delves into the formation of reading publics and the profound impact of reading cultures. By uncovering obscure but significant reading communities and circuits of book distribution and reception, the book offers original research that sheds light on the processes that shape the development of reading habits and preferences.

Secondly, the book explores the intricate relationship between print and politics, with a particular focus on the networks of power that govern the production and circulation of printed books. It examines how control over these processes has shaped literary and cultural development in southern Africa, highlighting the ways in which power dynamics have influenced the production, reception, and interpretation of literature.

Thirdly, the book examines transnational print culture, exploring how the control exercised by publishers in Europe and America has shaped literature and society in southern Africa. It investigates the ways in which global publishing networks have influenced the production, distribution, and consumption of African literature, as well as the impact of these networks on local literary and cultural practices.

Drawing upon interdisciplinary research and a diverse range of methodologies, the book encompasses a wide range of perspectives, including literary studies, anthropology, publishing studies, the history of the book, and art history. Many of the chapters are based on previously unexamined archives and collections, providing fresh insights into the rich tapestry of postcolonial literature and African book history.

The chapters included in this book were originally published in the Journal of Southern African Studies, a prestigious academic journal that has been at the forefront of studying the region's cultural and social dynamics. This book serves as a valuable contribution to the ongoing debates in the field, offering new and exciting avenues for further exploration and understanding of postcolonial literature and African book history.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367625900