Writing Brexit: Colonial Remains

This book explores Brexit through the lens of colonialism, colonial nostalgia, and narcissistic nationalism in contemporary Europe, challenging the notion that it is a unique event. It traces and critiques populist myth-making in the UK, engaging with literary and cultural productions to identify residual ideologies of imperialism. The articles extend Brexit's figurative geography to India, Britain, Pakistan, Ireland, Palestine, Barbados, and Eastern Europe, offering new insights into its diverse histories.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 138 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Drawing from a rich tapestry of British cultural production and postcolonial theory, this comprehensive volume situates Brexit within the historical context of colonialism, colonial nostalgia, and the emergence of narcissistic nationalism in contemporary Europe. This collection departs from the prevailing literary narratives that view Brexit as a singular occurrence, ushering in a new era of British fiction. It challenges the oft-repeated public discourses that portray the outcomes of the 2016 Referendum as the harbinger of regional instability and a sociopolitical emergency across Europe. This book meticulously traces and critiques the populist myth-making prevalent in the United Kingdom by engaging with a diverse array of literary and cultural productions. It serves as a poignant reminder to readers of the profound insights offered by postcolonial theorists and authors such as Paul Gilroy, Austin Clarke, Mohsin Hamid, and Ali Smith in identifying the lingering ideologies of imperialism in the lead-up to and aftermath of the Brexit campaign. The articles featured herein expand the figurative geography of Brexit, encompassing India, Britain, Pakistan, Ireland, Palestine, Barbados, and Eastern Europe, among others. They engage with a range of media representations, public discourses, and traditional genres, including novels and stage productions. By employing a diverse approach to scholarly fields such as postcolonial literary and cultural studies, this book unearths new perspectives on Brexit's multifaceted histories, not only within academic discourse but also in the broader socio-political public sphere.

The chapters in this book were originally featured as a special issue of the Journal of Postcolonial Writing.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367775902