Postcolonial African Writers: A Bio-Bibliographical Critical Sourcebook

(Hardback)

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Postcolonial African writers frequently examine such issues as emerging identities in the postcolonial climate, neo-colonialism and new forms of oppression, cultural and political hegemonies, neo-elitism, language appropriation, and economic instability. During the last decade, their works have elicited increasing critical attention. This reference book overviews postcolonial African literature. The volume focuses on how postcoloniality is reflected in the novels, poetry, prose and drama of writers from diverse countries in Africa, including representative North and South African writers as well as writers of the Indian diaspora born in Africa. The volume principally considers Anglophone and Francophone authors, alongside two Lusophone writers. The book begins with an introductory essay on postcolonial criticism and African writing. It then presents alphabetically arranged profiles of approximately 60 writers, such as Chinua Achebe, Ama Ata Aidoo, Nadine Gordimer, Doris Lessing, Gabriel Okara and Efua Theodora Sutherland. Each entry includes a brief biography, a discussion of major works and themes that appear in the author's writings, an overview of the critical response to the author's works, and a bibliography of primary and secondary sources. The volume concludes with with a selected general bibliography of important critical works on postcolonial African literature.

Reviews

.,."in general, Postcolonial African Writers: A Bio-Biographical Critical Sourcebook is one of the most welcomed ones...is a useful tool, resource and medium.... the book is so well written and approachable that the over five hundred pages can be delightfully covered, providing the reader with a unique opportunity to learn a lot about African literatures in a short period of time....in general a great addition to African literature....will always be an asset for the further research and serious study that African literatures, like the literatures of the world, invite."-Journal of Third World Studies
...in general, Postcolonial African Writers: A Bio-Biographical Critical Sourcebook is one of the most welcomed ones...is a useful tool, resource and medium.... the book is so well written and approachable that the over five hundred pages can be delightfully covered, providing the reader with a unique opportunity to learn a lot about African literatures in a short period of time....in general a great addition to African literature....will always be an asset for the further research and serious study that African literatures, like the literatures of the world, invite.-Journal of Third World Studies
A much-needed sourcebook, this work brings together resources that would normally be scattered over several volumes and presents a critical examination of the issues, advantages, and shortcomings of postcolonial theory as it relates to African writing....The book is excellent in scope and organization. The divergent intellectual and cultural frameworks of both the writers and contributors represented in this volume present a cogent discussion of the many ways in which Africans are circumscribing their own expereinces for global audiences.-H-Net Reviews
Its authors intended Postcolonial African Writers to be a cornerstone for more specific, focused work in the field. It seems particularly well suited to be just that. Reading any of the thoughtful essays in this book should move the industrious scholar to do more research, as each stands alone as a strong introduction to its topic. Postcolonial African Writers fills a large gap in the reference literature, and is an important addition to cultural and literary studies. It would be a valuable research tool in any library supporting an undergraduate or graduate literature program.-RUSQ
"A much-needed sourcebook, this work brings together resources that would normally be scattered over several volumes and presents a critical examination of the issues, advantages, and shortcomings of postcolonial theory as it relates to African writing....The book is excellent in scope and organization. The divergent intellectual and cultural frameworks of both the writers and contributors represented in this volume present a cogent discussion of the many ways in which Africans are circumscribing their own expereinces for global audiences."-H-Net Reviews
"Its authors intended Postcolonial African Writers to be a cornerstone for more specific, focused work in the field. It seems particularly well suited to be just that. Reading any of the thoughtful essays in this book should move the industrious scholar to do more research, as each stands alone as a strong introduction to its topic. Postcolonial African Writers fills a large gap in the reference literature, and is an important addition to cultural and literary studies. It would be a valuable research tool in any library supporting an undergraduate or graduate literature program."-RUSQ
"Students of modern literature will benefit from the prefatory essays on the "postcolonial" concept in this biographical, critical, and bibliographical introduction to 60 African writers. General readers will benefit from the clear, knowledgeable, and fascinating insights presented on many new and little-known African writers, as well as authors of international reputation. Teachers adding diversity to literature classes will find this an invaluable source....Highly recommended for specialist literary and Africana collections; a useful introduction to African writers for general collections."-Choice

Author Bio

PUSHPA NAIDU PAREKH is Assistant Professor of Comparative Literature in the English Department of Spelman College. She teaches courses on postcolonial literature, women in non-Western literatures, African literature, the African diaspora, world literature, British literature, and immigrant women's literature. SIGA FATIMA JAGNE is presently the International Consultant, Researcher and Scholar with the women's development group ADCO Consultancy and Associates, in Gambia. She has served as Assistant Professor in Comparative Literature in the English Department of Spelman College. She has taught courses on African literature, the African diaspora, world literature, and literary theory and criticism.