The Swahili Novel : Challenging the Idea of 'Minor Literature'

An overview of the Swahili novel, its place in a globalized world and a reflection on the status and dynamism of Kafka's concept of'minor literature'.For more than fifty years a dynamic modern literature has been developing in the Kiswahili language. The political weight that Kiswahili carries as the emerging national and pan-national language of many East African countries places this literature, much of it in the form of novels, at the centre of heated literary debates on the social function of literature in the context of rapid global social change. Garnier provides new insights into the Swahili novel form with all its vibrancy and capacity for experimentation. Its obsession with social issues relates to larger, all-pervasive political debates running through East Africa: in its press, its streets, its public and private places. The novels both record and provoke these debates. Based on the study of more than 175 Swahili novels by almost 100 authors, Garnier brings to light a body of work much neglected by African literary critics, but which looks outwards to the wider world. Xavier Garnier teaches African Literature at the Université Paris 3 Sorbonne Nouvelle and is former director of the Centre d'Etudes des Nouveaux Espaces Littéraires, Université Paris 13. For More Than Fifty Years A Dynamic Modern Literature Has Been Developing In The Kiswahili Language. The Political Weight That Kiswahili Carries As The Emerging National And Pan-national Language Of Many East African Countries Places This Literature, Much Of It In The Form Of Novels, At The Centre Of Heated Literary Debates On The Social Function Of Literature In The Context Of Rapid Global Social Change. Garnier Provides New Insights Into The Swahili Novel Form With All Its Vibrancy And Capacity For Experimentation. Its Obsession With Social Issues Relates To Larger, All-pervasive Political Debates Running Through East Africa: In Its Press, Its Streets, Its Public And Private Places. The Novels Both Record And Provoke These Debates. Based On The Study Of More Than 175 Swahili Novels By Almost 100 Authors, Garnier Brings To Light A Body Of Work Much Neglected By African Literary Critics, But Which Looks Outwards To The Wider World. -- Publisher's Description Narrating Values: Describing A World -- Shaaban Robert: The Optimism Of Writing -- The Crisis Of The Bildungsroman -- Euphrase Kezilahabi: An Initiatory Realism -- The Political Novel -- Mohamed Suleiman Mohamed: Narrating A Dual Reality -- The Criminals & The Corrupted -- Investigations & Enigmas -- Said Ahmed Mohamed: The Dark Side Of Images. Xavier Garnier. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 182-192) And Index. An overview of the Swahili novel, its place in a globalized world and a reflection on the status and dynamism of Kafka's concept of 'minor literature'. For more than fifty years a dynamic modern literature has been developing in the Kiswahili language. The political weight that Kiswahili carries as the emerging national and pan-national language of many East African countries places this literature, much of it in the form of novels, at the centre of heated literary debates on the social function of literature in the context of rapid global social change. Garnier provides new insights into the Swahili novel form with all its vibrancy and capacity for experimentation. Its obsession with social issues relates to larger, all-pervasive political debates running through East in its press, its streets, its public and private places. The novels both record and provoke these debates. Based on the study of more than 175 Swahili novels by almost 100 authors, Garnier brings to light a body of work much neglected by African literary critics, but which looks outwards to the wider world. Xavier Garnier teaches African Literature at the Universit Paris 3 Sorbonne Nouvelle and is former director of the Centre d'Etudes des Nouveaux Espaces Littraires, Universit Paris 13. For more than fifty years a dynamic modern literature has been developing in the Kiswahili language. The political weight that Kiswahili carries as the emerging national and pan-national language of many East African countries places this literature, much of it in the form of novels, at the centre of heated literary debates on the social function of literature in the context of rapid global social change. Garnier provides new insights into the Swahili novel form with all its vibrancy and capacity for experimentation. Its obsession with social issues relates to larger, all-pervasive political debates running through East Africa: in its press, its streets, its public and private places. The novels both record and provoke these debates. Based on the study of more than 175 Swahili novels by almost 100 authors, Garnier brings to light a body of work much neglected by African literary critics, but which looks outwards to the wider world--Proporcionado por el editor Front cover Contents Introduction 1 Narrating Values: Describing a World 2 Shaaban Robert: The Optimism of Writing 3 The Crisis of the Bildungsroman 4 Euphrase Kezilahabi: An Initiatory Realism 5 The Political Novel 6 Mohamed Suleiman Mohamed: Narrating a Dual Reality 7 Criminals & the Corrupted 8 Investigations & Enigmas 9 Said Ahmed Mohamed: The Dark Side of Images Conclusion Bibliography Index Back cover