The African American Experience in Crime Fiction

A Critical Study

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, Mystery & Detective Fiction, Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Cultural Studies, African-American Studies
Cover of the book The African American Experience in Crime Fiction by Robert E. Crafton, McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Robert E. Crafton ISBN: 9781476621296
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers Publication: June 8, 2015
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Robert E. Crafton
ISBN: 9781476621296
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication: June 8, 2015
Imprint:
Language: English

An immensely popular genre, crime fiction has only in recent years been engaged significantly by African American authors. Historically, the racist stereotypes often central to crime fiction and the socially conservative nature of the genre presented problems for writing the black experience, and the tropes of justice and restoration of social order have not resonated with authors who saw social justice as a work in progress. Some African American authors did take up the challenge. Pauline Hopkins, Rudolph Fisher and Chester Himes led the way in the first half of the 20th century, followed by Ishmael Reed’s “anti-detective” novels in the 1970s. Since the 1990s, Walter Mosley, Colson Whitehead and Stephen L. Carter have written detective fiction focusing on questions of constitutional law, civil rights, biological and medical issues, education, popular culture, the criminal justice system and matters of social justice. From Hopkins’s Hagar’s Daughter (published in 1901), to Hime’s hardboiled “Harlem Detective” series, to Carter’s patrician world of the black bourgeoisie, these authors provide a means of examining literary and social constructions of the African-American experience. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

An immensely popular genre, crime fiction has only in recent years been engaged significantly by African American authors. Historically, the racist stereotypes often central to crime fiction and the socially conservative nature of the genre presented problems for writing the black experience, and the tropes of justice and restoration of social order have not resonated with authors who saw social justice as a work in progress. Some African American authors did take up the challenge. Pauline Hopkins, Rudolph Fisher and Chester Himes led the way in the first half of the 20th century, followed by Ishmael Reed’s “anti-detective” novels in the 1970s. Since the 1990s, Walter Mosley, Colson Whitehead and Stephen L. Carter have written detective fiction focusing on questions of constitutional law, civil rights, biological and medical issues, education, popular culture, the criminal justice system and matters of social justice. From Hopkins’s Hagar’s Daughter (published in 1901), to Hime’s hardboiled “Harlem Detective” series, to Carter’s patrician world of the black bourgeoisie, these authors provide a means of examining literary and social constructions of the African-American experience. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

More books from McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers

Cover of the book Fifty Shades and Popular Culture by Robert E. Crafton
Cover of the book Japanese and American Horror by Robert E. Crafton
Cover of the book Yogic Peace Education by Robert E. Crafton
Cover of the book Katherine V. Forrest by Robert E. Crafton
Cover of the book American Military Training Aircraft by Robert E. Crafton
Cover of the book Czechoslovakia Behind the Curtain by Robert E. Crafton
Cover of the book Refrigeration by Robert E. Crafton
Cover of the book Flamenco by Robert E. Crafton
Cover of the book LGBTQ Young Adult Fiction by Robert E. Crafton
Cover of the book World War I on Film by Robert E. Crafton
Cover of the book Klaus Kinski, Beast of Cinema by Robert E. Crafton
Cover of the book Auto Racing Comes of Age by Robert E. Crafton
Cover of the book "We used to eat people" by Robert E. Crafton
Cover of the book Roy Sievers by Robert E. Crafton
Cover of the book The Pleasures of Computer Gaming by Robert E. Crafton
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy