- ENGL223: African Novel after Achebe with Professor Lily Saint (MW 2:50):
- Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s 2003 novel, PURPLE HIBISCUS, summons Chinua Achebe, the “grandfather of African literature,” in its opening line: “Things started to fall apart at home when my brother, Jaja, did not go to communion.” While Achebe remains a formative influence on Adichie and on many other contemporary African writers, the central preoccupations of African literature have shifted considerably in recent years. This class will consider recent topics animating the field. These include debates about Afropolitanism, the role of publication houses and prize committees in the canonization and circulation of texts, queer African literature, African-language literature, and the position of African literature vis-à-vis world literature. Readings will be chosen from among the newest novels and short stories in publication.
See Wesmaps for more information.