The Historical Novel, Transnationalism, and the Postmodern Era

Presenting the Past

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, European, Scandinavian
Cover of the book The Historical Novel, Transnationalism, and the Postmodern Era by Susan Brantly, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Susan Brantly ISBN: 9781315386447
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: February 17, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Susan Brantly
ISBN: 9781315386447
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: February 17, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

This volume explores the genre of the historical novel and the variety of ways in which writers choose to represent the past. How does an author’s nationality or gender impact their artistic choices? To what extent can historical novels appeal to a transnational audience? This study demonstrates how histories can communicate across national borders, often by invoking or deconstructing the very notion of nationhood. Furthermore, it traces how the concerns of the postmodern era, such as postmodern critiques of historiography, colonialism, identity, and the Enlightenment, have impacted the genre of the historical novel, and shows this impact has not been uniform throughout Western culture. Not all historical novels written during the postmodern era are postmodern. The historical novel as a genre occupies a problematic, yet significant space in Cold War literary currents, torn between claims of authenticity and the impossibility of accessing the past. Historical novels from England, America, Germany, and France are compared and contrasted with historical novels from Sweden, testing a variety of theoretical perspectives in the process. This pitting of a center against a periphery serves to highlight traits that historical novels from the West have in common, but also how they differ. The historical novel is not just a local, regional phenomenon, but has become, during the postmodern era, a transnational tool for exploring how we should think of nations and nationalism and what a society should, or should not, look like.

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

This volume explores the genre of the historical novel and the variety of ways in which writers choose to represent the past. How does an author’s nationality or gender impact their artistic choices? To what extent can historical novels appeal to a transnational audience? This study demonstrates how histories can communicate across national borders, often by invoking or deconstructing the very notion of nationhood. Furthermore, it traces how the concerns of the postmodern era, such as postmodern critiques of historiography, colonialism, identity, and the Enlightenment, have impacted the genre of the historical novel, and shows this impact has not been uniform throughout Western culture. Not all historical novels written during the postmodern era are postmodern. The historical novel as a genre occupies a problematic, yet significant space in Cold War literary currents, torn between claims of authenticity and the impossibility of accessing the past. Historical novels from England, America, Germany, and France are compared and contrasted with historical novels from Sweden, testing a variety of theoretical perspectives in the process. This pitting of a center against a periphery serves to highlight traits that historical novels from the West have in common, but also how they differ. The historical novel is not just a local, regional phenomenon, but has become, during the postmodern era, a transnational tool for exploring how we should think of nations and nationalism and what a society should, or should not, look like.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book The Mummy's Curse by Susan Brantly
Cover of the book The Philosophy of Mr. B*rtr*nd R*ss*ll by Susan Brantly
Cover of the book Olympic Legacies: Intended and Unintended by Susan Brantly
Cover of the book Twentieth-century Chinese Women's Poetry: An Anthology by Susan Brantly
Cover of the book Differentiated Instruction by Susan Brantly
Cover of the book Transatlantic Homeland Security by Susan Brantly
Cover of the book Witchcraft in the Modern World by Susan Brantly
Cover of the book Biological Anthropology and Prehistory by Susan Brantly
Cover of the book Global Alliances in Tourism and Hospitality Management by Susan Brantly
Cover of the book Accountability in Higher Education by Susan Brantly
Cover of the book New Critical Writings in Political Sociology by Susan Brantly
Cover of the book Food Sovereignty, Agroecology and Biocultural Diversity by Susan Brantly
Cover of the book Religion, Identity and Conflict in Britain: From the Restoration to the Twentieth Century by Susan Brantly
Cover of the book Record Keeping in Psychotherapy and Counseling by Susan Brantly
Cover of the book European Union and New Regionalism by Susan Brantly
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