Branding the 'beur' author : minority writing and the media in France, 1983-2013

Branding the Beur Author f ocuses on the mainstream media promotion of literature written by the descendants of North African immigrants to France (often called beurs). These conversations between journalists and 'beur' authors delve into contemporary debates such as the explosion of racism in the 1980s and the purported role of Islam in French society in the 1990s. But the interests of journalists looking for sensational subject matter also heavily shape the promotion and reception of these novels: only the 'beur' authors who employ a realist style to write about the challenges faced by the North African immigrant population in France - and who engage on-air with French identity politics and immigration - receive multiple invitations to participate in interviews. Previous scholarship has taken a necessary first step by analyzing the social and political stakes of this literature (using labels such as 'beur' and/or 'banlieue,' to designate its urban, economically distressed setting), but the book argues that we must move beyond this approach because it reproduces the selection criteria deployed by the media that determine which books receive the most commercial and critical support. By demonstrating how minority-based literary labels such as 'francophone' and 'postcolonial' are always already defined by the socio-political context in which books are published and promoted, the book establishes that these labels are tautological and cannot reflect the thematic and stylistic richness of beur (and other minority) production in France. Branding The Beur Author Focuses On The Mainstream Media Promotion Of Literature Written By The Descendants Of North African Immigrants To France (often Called Beurs). These Conversations Between Journalists And 'beur' Authors Delve Into Contemporary Debates Such As The Explosion Of Racism In The 1980s And The Purported Role Of Islam In French Society In The 1990s. But The Interests Of Journalists Looking For Sensational Subject Matter Also Heavily Shape The Promotion And Reception Of These Novels: Only The 'beur' Authors Who Employ A Realist Style To Write About The Challenges Faced By The North African Immigrant Population In France-and Who Engage On-air With French Identity Politics And Immigration-receive Multiple Invitations To Participate In Interviews. Previous Scholarship Has Taken A Necessary First Step By Analyzing The Social And Political Stakes Of This Literature (using Labels Such As 'beur' And/or 'banlieue,' To Designate Its Urban, Economically Distressed Setting), But The Book Argues That We Must Move Beyond This Approach Because It Reproduces The Selection Criteria Deployed By The Media That Determine Which Books Receive The Most Commercial And Critical Support.--back Cover. Authorship At A Crossroads : The Changing Faces Of French Writing, 1983-2013 -- Mehdi Charef And The Invention Of Beur Writing -- Competing Visions Of Minority Authorship : Azouz Begag And Farida Belghoul -- Eyewitness Narratives And The Creation Of The Beurette -- Rachid Djaïdani And The Shift From Beur To Banlieue Writing -- Revising The Beurette Label : Faïza Guène's Ongoing Quest To Reframe The Reception Of Her Work -- Sabri Louatah And The Qui Fait La France? Collective : Literature And Politics Since 2007. Kathryn A. Kleppinger. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "Branding the 'Beur' Author focuses on the mainstream media promotion of literature written by the descendants of North African immigrants to France (often called beurs). These conversations between journalists and 'beur authors' delve into contemporary debates such as the explosion of racism in the 1980s and the purported role of Islam in French society in the 1990s. But the interests of journalists looking for sensational subject matter also heavily shape the promotion and reception of these novels: only the 'beur authors' who employ a realist style to write about the challenges faced by the North African immigrant population in France--and who engage on-air with French identity politics and immigration--receive multiple invitations to participate in interviews. Previous scholarship has taken a necessary first step by analysing the social and political stakes of this literature (using labels such as beur and/or banlieue to designate its urban, economically distressed setting), but this book argues that we must move beyond this approach because it reproduces the selection criteria deployed by the media to determine which books receive the most commercial and critical support. By demonstrating how minority-based literary labels such as 'francophone' and 'postcolonial' are always already defined by the sociopolitical context in which books are published and promoted, Branding the 'Beur' Author establishes that these labels are tautological and cannot reflect the thematic and stylistic richness of beur (and other minority) production in France."-- Page 4 de la couverture "Branding the 'Beur' Author focuses on the mainstream media promotion of literature written by the descendants of North African immigrants to France (often called beurs). These conversations between journalists and 'beur authors' delve into contemporary debates such as the explosion of racism in the 1980s and the purported role of Islam in French society in the 1990s. But the interests of journalists looking for sensational subject matter also heavily shape the promotion and reception of these novels: only the 'beur authors' who employ a realist style to write about the challenges faced by the North African immigrant population in France--and who engage on-air with French identity politics and immigration--receive multiple invitations to participate in interviews. Previous scholarship has taken a necessary first step by analysing the social and political stakes of this literature (using labels such as beur and/or banlieue to designate its urban, economically distressed setting), but this book argues that we must move beyond this approach because it reproduces the selection criteria deployed by the media to determine which books receive the most commercial and critical support. By demonstrating how minority-based literary labels such as 'francophone' and 'postcolonial' are always already defined by the sociopolitical context in which books are published and promoted, Branding the 'Beur' Author establishes that these labels are tautological and cannot reflect the thematic and stylistic richness of beur (and other minority) production in France."-- Page 4 of cover Branding the Beur Author f ocuses on the mainstream media promotion of literature written by the descendants of North African immigrants to France (often called beurs). These conversations between journalists and 'beur' authors delve into contemporary debates such as the explosion of racism in the 1980s and the purported role of Islam in French society in the 1990s. But the interests of journalists looking for sensational subject matter also heavily shape the promotion and reception of these only the 'beur' authors who employ a realist style to write about the challenges faced by the North African immigrant population in France - and who engage on-air with French identity politics and immigration - receive multiple invitations to participate in interviews. Previous scholarship has taken a necessary first step by analyzing the social and political stakes of this literature (using labels such as 'beur' and/or 'banlieue,' to designate its urban, economically distressed setting), but the book argues that we must move beyond this approach because it reproduces the selection criteria deployed by the media that determine which books receive the most commercial and critical support. By demonstrating how minority-based literary labels such as 'francophone' and 'postcolonial' are always already defined by the socio-political context in which books are published and promoted, the book establishes that these labels are tautological and cannot reflect the thematic and stylistic richness of beur (and other minority) production in France. Cover Contents Acknowledgements List of Illustrations 1. Authorship at a Crossroads 2. Mehdi Charef and the Invention of Beur Writing 3. Competing Visions of Minority Authorship 4. Eyewitness Narratives and the Creation of the Beurette 5. Rachid Djaïdani and the Shift from Beur to Banlieue Writing 6. Revising the Beurette Label 7. Sabri Louatah and the Collectif Qui Fait la France? Works Cited Index This book reconsiders authorship by the descendants of North African immigrants to France by consulting how these authors' novels have been discussed and promoted in the national audio-visual media