The Cambridge Companion to the City in World Literature

This book explores the relationship between cities and World Literature, showing how cities have shaped aesthetic dispositions, linguistic and cultural translation, global imaginaries, and narratives of self-fashioning. It focuses on a particular city in the Global North or Global South, bringing World Literary debates into conversation with urban literary histories.

Format: Hardback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 31 July 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This groundbreaking book delves into the intricate relationship between cities and world literature, offering a fresh perspective on the subject. Through a collection of essays that explore diverse urban landscapes, it demonstrates how cities have played a pivotal role in shaping essential aesthetic dispositions, acts of linguistic and cultural translation, topographic conceptualizations, global imaginaries, and narratives of self-fashioning. Accompanied by an introduction and three theoretical chapters, each chapter focuses on a specific city in the Global North or Global South, engaging in a lively dialogue with world literary debates on translation, literary networks, imperial and migrant imaginaries, centers and peripheries.

Beijing, with its rich cultural heritage and historical significance, serves as the focal point of Chapter One. The city's vibrant literary scene, influenced by centuries of political and social change, is explored in depth. The chapter examines how Beijing's urban landscape has shaped the development of Chinese literature and its engagement with global literary trends.

Chapter Two takes us to Bombay/Mumbai, a bustling metropolis that has witnessed the convergence of multiple cultures and languages. The chapter explores how the city's diverse population has influenced its literary landscape, with a particular emphasis on the role of translation in shaping local and global narratives.

Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is the subject of Chapter Three. The city's literary history is intertwined with its political and cultural heritage, and the chapter examines how Dublin's urban landscape has influenced the development of Irish literature and its connections with other European literatures.

Cairo, the bustling capital of Egypt, is the focus of Chapter Four. The chapter explores how Cairo's rich cultural heritage has shaped its literary landscape, with a particular emphasis on the role of women writers and the representation of the city's diverse communities.

Istanbul, a city that straddles the continents of Europe and Asia, is the subject of Chapter Five. The chapter examines how Istanbul's urban landscape has influenced the development of Turkish literature and its connections with other Mediterranean literatures.

Johannesburg, the economic and cultural hub of South Africa, is the focus of Chapter Six. The chapter explores how Johannesburg's urban landscape has influenced the development of African literature and its engagement with global literary trends.

Lagos, the vibrant city of Nigeria, is the subject of Chapter Seven. The chapter examines how Lagos's urban landscape has influenced the development of Nigerian literature and its connections with other African literatures.

London, the capital of England, is the focus of Chapter Eight. The chapter explores how London's urban landscape has influenced the development of British literature and its connections with other European literatures.

Mexico City, a vibrant metropolis that blends indigenous and colonial heritage, is the subject of Chapter Nine. The chapter examines how Mexico City's urban landscape has influenced the development of Mexican literature and its engagement with global literary trends.

Moscow, the capital of Russia, is the focus of Chapter Ten. The chapter explores how Moscow's urban landscape has influenced the development of Russian literature and its connections with other Slavic literatures.

St. Petersburg, a city renowned for its architectural beauty and cultural heritage, is the subject of Chapter Eleven. The chapter examines how St. Petersburg's urban landscape has influenced the development of Russian literature and its connections with other European literatures.

New York, the bustling metropolis that defines the American Dream, is the focus of Chapter Twelve. The chapter explores how New York's urban landscape has influenced the development of American literature and its connections with other global literatures.

Paris, the city of love and art, is the subject of Chapter Thirteen. The chapter examines how Paris's urban landscape has influenced the development of French literature and its connections with other European literatures.

Singapore, a city-state that blends modernity and tradition, is the focus of Chapter Fourteen. The chapter explores how Singapore's urban landscape has influenced the development of Asian literature and its engagement with global literary trends.

Sydney, the vibrant city that boasts stunning beaches and iconic landmarks, is the subject of Chapter Fifteen. The chapter explores how Sydney's urban landscape has influenced the development of Australian literature and its connections with other Pacific Rim literatures.

In conclusion, this book offers a comprehensive exploration of the complex relationship between cities and world literature. Through its diverse range of essays and engaging analysis, it provides valuable insights into how cities have shaped the development of literature, culture, and identity across the globe world.

ISBN-13: 9781316517888