The Cambridge Companion to World Crime Fiction

A comprehensive and accessible account of crime fiction across the globe, exploring its transnational history, theoretical issues, and regional forms. It is valuable for general readers and students of popular fiction and world literature.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 21 April 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This first comprehensive account of crime fiction across the globe provides a deep and nuanced understanding of the genre's transnational history. Offering a clear explanation of the major theoretical issues and comparative perspectives that shape world crime fiction, this book introduces readers to the international crime fiction publishing industry, the translation and circulation of crime fiction, international crime fiction collections, the role of women in world crime fiction, and regional forms of crime fiction. It also sheds light on the past and present of crime fiction in various supranational regions across the world, including East and South Asia, the Arab World, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and Scandinavia, as well as three spheres defined by a shared language, namely the Francophone, Lusophone, and Hispanic worlds. Thoroughly researched and broad in scope, this book is valuable for both general readers and undergraduate and postgraduate students of popular fiction and world literature.

Introduction:
Crime fiction has emerged as a popular and influential genre across the globe, captivating readers with its thrilling narratives and exploration of complex societal issues. This first systematic account of crime fiction across the globe offers a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the genre's transnational history, providing a valuable resource for scholars, students, and enthusiasts alike.

Offering a Lucid Account of the Major Theoretical Issues and Comparative Perspectives:
The book delves into the major theoretical issues and comparative perspectives that constitute world crime fiction. It introduces readers to the international crime fiction publishing industry, the translation and circulation of crime fiction, international crime fiction collections, the role of women in world crime fiction, and regional forms of crime fiction. By exploring these various aspects, the book provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the genre's global significance and its impact on different cultures and societies.

Introducing Readers to the International Crime Fiction Publishing Industry:
The book offers a comprehensive introduction to the international crime fiction publishing industry. It explores the various publishers, agents, and distributors that play a crucial role in bringing crime fiction to readers around the world. It also provides insights into the marketing strategies and promotional efforts employed to promote crime fiction and attract a wider audience.

Exploring the Translation and Circulation of Crime Fiction:
The book delves into the translation and circulation of crime fiction across different languages and cultural contexts. It examines the challenges and opportunities faced by translators and publishers in adapting crime fiction for different markets and audiences. It also highlights the role of translation in promoting cultural exchange and understanding between different regions and nations.

International Crime Fiction Collections:
The book explores international crime fiction collections, which are curated collections of crime fiction from different countries and regions. It provides an overview of the most prominent international crime fiction collections and highlights the contributions of individual authors and publishers to the genre.

The Role of Women in World Crime Fiction:
World crime fiction has traditionally been dominated by male authors, but there has been a growing recognition of the role of women in the genre. The book explores the representation of women in world crime fiction, including their roles as detectives, victims, and perpetrators. It also examines the challenges and opportunities faced by women writers in the industry and the impact of their work on gender stereotypes and societal attitudes.

Regional Forms of Crime Fiction:
Crime fiction is not limited to a single geographical or cultural context; it has emerged in various regional forms across the world. The book explores regional forms of crime fiction, including detective fiction, noir fiction, and thriller fiction, and their unique characteristics and influences. It also examines the cultural and historical contexts that shape these regional forms and their impact on the development of the genre.

Illuminating the Past and Present of Crime Fiction in Various Supranational Regions:
The book provides a comprehensive examination of the past and present of crime fiction in various supranational regions across the world. It includes chapters on East and South Asia, the Arab World, Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and Scandinavia, and three spheres defined by a shared language, namely the Francophone, Lusophone, and Hispanic worlds. Each chapter offers a detailed analysis of the historical, cultural, and literary influences that shape crime fiction in these regions and highlights the contributions of local authors and publishers to the genre.

Thoroughly-Researched and Broad in Scope:
The book is thoroughly researched and broad in scope, covering a wide range of topics and perspectives related to world crime fiction. It draws on a diverse range of sources, including academic studies, literary criticism, and industry reports, to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date account of the genre.

Valuable for General Readers and Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students:
The book is valuable for both general readers and undergraduate and postgraduate students of popular fiction and world literature. It offers a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the genre, while also providing in-depth analysis and critical insights that will appeal to scholars and researchers.

In conclusion, this first comprehensive account of crime fiction across the globe provides a deep and nuanced understanding of the genre's transnational history. Offering a clear explanation of the major theoretical issues and comparative perspectives that shape world crime fiction, the book introduces readers to the international crime fiction publishing industry, the translation and circulation of crime fiction, international crime fiction collections, the role of women in world crime fiction, and regional forms of crime fiction. By exploring these various aspects, the book sheds light on the past and present of crime fiction in various supranational regions across the world, and its impact on different cultures and societies. Thoroughly researched and broad in scope, this book is valuable for both general readers and undergraduate and postgraduate students of popular fiction and world literature.

Weight: 610g
ISBN-13: 9781108484596