Speaking Politically: Adorno and Postcolonial Fiction

Theodor Adorno's philosophy engages with postcolonial texts and authors from extreme political situations, arguing that he can speak to texts not historically associated with him and unlock the liberatory potential of traditionally apolitical authors. It challenges the tendency to read postcolonial texts exclusively as political documents and showcases Adorno's unique reading of literary texts in terms of their historical content and formal aesthetic attributes. The book operates as a two-way conversation, asking what Adorno's concepts can give to certain literary texts and what those texts can give to our understanding of Adorno.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 142 pages
\n Publication date: 06 April 2021
\n Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
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In this comprehensive monograph, Theodor Adorno delves into the intricate interplay between his philosophy and postcolonial texts and authors that arise from contexts of political extremity. Spanning a range of historical and geographical contexts, including apartheid South Africa, war-ravaged Sri Lanka, Pinochets dictatorship, and the Greek military junta, Adorno's philosophy offers a unique perspective on these complex narratives.

One of the groundbreaking aspects of this book is its assertion that Adorno's ideas can resonate with texts that are not traditionally associated with his philosophical framework. By employing a rigorous theoretical approach, the author demonstrates how Adorno's theory can unlock the liberatory potential of authors and novels that are often perceived as apolitical. This innovative approach challenges the conventional understanding of Adorno's relevance and applicability, expanding the horizons of his critical insights.

While addressing Adorno's uneven critical reception and dissemination in the Anglophone literary world, the book also showcases his distinctive reading of literary texts. Adorno's approach encompasses both the inherent historical content and formal aesthetic attributes of a text, refusing to limit postcolonial readings solely to political documents. This nuanced and multifaceted approach offers a fresh perspective on postcolonial literature, challenging the tendency to reduce it to a mere reflection of political realities.

In essence, this book serves as a two-way conversation, posing the question: What can Adorno's concepts contribute to certain literary texts? At the same time, it reciprocally asks: What can these texts offer to our conventional understanding of Adorno and his applicability? By rethinking the literary in Adornian terms and rethinking Adorno through the literary, the book endeavors to redefine the boundaries of critical discourse and expand our understanding of the complex interplay between philosophy, literature, and political contexts.

\n Weight: 358g\n
Dimension: 236 x 156 x 16 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780367437930\n \n