Quebec Connection: A Poetics of Solidarity in Global Francophone Literatures

In The Quebec Connection, Julie-Françoise Tolliver explores how writers from Quebec, the Caribbean, and Africa used the French language to articulate solidarities across race and class differences, illuminating the literary map of French-language literatures. She argues that the French tongue enabled and delimited connections, expanding the francophone framework by connecting African and Caribbean literatures to Québécois literature.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 294 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2020
Publisher: University of Virginia Press

From the 1950s to the 1970s, a transformative wave of independence swept across the French-speaking world, igniting radical changes and inspiring writers from diverse regions to forge connections and imagine a unified world. In her groundbreaking book, The Quebec Connection, Julie-Françoise Tolliver delves into the intricate web of literary connections and parallels imagined by writers from Quebec, the Caribbean, and Africa. Through a meticulous examination of their works, Tolliver sheds light on the tropes employed by these writers to articulate solidarities across race and class differences, highlighting the complexities and limitations imposed by the French language in shaping their artistic expressions.

The literary map that emerges from The Quebec Connection is a testament to the rich diversity of French-language literatures, transcending the notion of a singular, monolithic francophone literature. It unveils the interconnectedness of various imaginaries, bound together by solidary texts that yearned for transformative independence. Importantly, the book expands the francophone framework by bridging African and Caribbean literatures with Québécois literature, attending to their interactions while recognizing their unique characteristics.

Through her meticulous analysis, Tolliver challenges the racial logic that isolates Quebec from the broader postcolonial world. She reveals how writers from different regions leveraged the French language to forge transnational solidarities, transcending geographical boundaries and cultural differences. The Quebec Connection offers a fresh perspective on the complexities of francophone identity and solidarity, shedding light on the ways in which literature can serve as a powerful tool for promoting social change and challenging dominant narratives.

In conclusion, The Quebec Connection is a seminal work that revolutionizes our understanding of the literary connections and parallels across the French-speaking world. Julie-Françoise Tolliver's insightful analysis provides a rich tapestry of transnational solidarities, challenging the boundaries imposed by race, class, and language. Through its exploration of the literary map, the book offers a valuable contribution to francophone studies, expanding the francophone framework and promoting a deeper appreciation of the diverse imaginations that shape the world.

Weight: 446g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780813944890