Francophone Literatures An Introductory Survey

The canon of French literature has undergone substantial transforation in recent years and francophone literature is now an increasingly important element in French literature courses. This study introduces the diverse literatures from the numerous French-speaking areas around the world, including Africa, French Canada, and both the Caribbean and Indian Ocean Creole islands, among others. Moving region by region, Jack details the ways in which the most important authors establish a post-colonial and linguistically and culturally unique literary tradition while they subvert--through rewriting, parody, and pastiche--the established French literary tradition. More importantly, she suggests a new critical approach for understanding these various French-speaking cultures and, consequently, the French culture which they recast and subvert.

Dr. Belinda Jack has held lectureships at the Universities of London (Birkbeck College) and Oxford (Christ Church) and is currently a British Academy PostDoctoral Research Fellow.