Of Irony and Empire: Islam, the West, and the Transcultural Invention of Africa (SUNY series, Explorations in Postcolonial Studies)

Of Irony and Empire is a dynamic, thorough examination of Muslim writers from former European colonies in Africa who have increasingly entered into critical conversations with the metropole. Focusing on the period between World War I and the present, "the age of irony," this book explores the political and symbolic invention of Muslim Africa and its often contradictory representations. Through a critical analysis of irony and resistance in works by writers who come from nomadic areas around the Sahara--Mustapha Tlili (Tunisia), Malika Mokeddem (Algeria), Cheikh Hamidou Kane (Senegal), and Tayeb Salih (Sudan)--Laura Rice offers a fresh perspective that accounts for both the influence of the Western, instrumental imaginary, and the Islamic, holistic one. Of Irony And Empire Is A Thorough Examination Of Muslim Writers From Former European Colonies In Africa Who Have Increasingly Entered Into Critical Conversations With The Metropole. Focusing On The Period Between World War I And The Present, The Age Of Irony, This Book Explores The Political And Symbolic Invention Of Muslim Africa And Its Often Contradictory Representations. Through A Critical Analysis Of Irony And Resistance In Works By Writers Who Come From Nomadic Areas Around The Sahara - Mustapha Tlili (tunisia), Malika Mokeddem (algeria), Cheikh Hamidou Kane (senegal), And Tayeb Salih (sudan) - Laura Rice Offers A Perspective That Accounts For Both The Influence Of The Western, Instrumental Imaginary, And The Islamic, Holistic One.--jacket. Prologue : Of Irony & Empire -- African Conscripts/european Conflicts : Race, Memory, And The Lessons Of War -- Ambiguous Adventure : Reading Cheikh Hamidou Kane -- Heimlich Un-heimlich : Of Home As Heterotopia In Salih, Tlili, And Mokeddem -- Epilogue : The Ends Of Irony. Laura Rice. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 207-223) And Index. Prologue : of irony & empire African conscripts/European conflicts : race, memory, and the lessons of war Raising Kane : the ambiguous adventure of reading Cheikh Hamidou Kane Heimlich un-Heimlich : of home as heterotopia in Salih, Tlili, and Mokeddem Epilogue : the ends of irony.