The Cambridge Companion to the African American Novel

The Cambridge Companion to the African American Novel presents new essays covering the one hundred and fifty year history of the African American novel. Experts in the field from the US and Europe address some of the major issues in the genre: passing, the Protest novel, the Blues novel, and womanism among others. The essays are full of fresh insights for students into the symbolic, aesthetic, and political function of canonical and non-canonical fiction. Chapters examine works by Ralph Ellison, Leon Forrest, Toni Morrison, Ishmael Reed, Alice Walker, John Edgar Wideman, and many others. They reflect a range of critical methods intended to prompt new and experienced readers to consider the African American novel as a cultural and literary act of extraordinary significance. This volume, including a chronology and guide to further reading, is an important resource for students and teachers alike.

• A unique overview of African American writing which will be of interest to students and teachers • Examines a wide range of topics including slavery, the blues novel, the Harlem Renaissance, the protest novel and contemporary novels • Written by a team of carefully selected authors from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe and the USA, representing a variety of critical trends and scholarly backgrounds

Notes on contributors; Chronology; Introduction Maryemma Graham; Part I. The Long Journey: The African American Novel and History: 1. Freeing the voice, creating the self: the novel and slavery Chris Mulvey; 2. Reconstructing the race: the novel after slavery M. Guilia Fabi; 3. The novel of the New Negro Renaissance George Hutchinson; 4. Caribbean migration, ex-isles, and the New World novel Giselle Liza Anatol; Part II. Search for a Form: The New American Novel: 5. The neo slave narrative Ashraf H. A. Rushdy; 6. Coming of age in the African American novel Claudine Raynaud; 7. The blues novel Steven Tracy; 8. From modernism to post modernism: black culture at the crossroads Fritz Gysin; 9. The African American novel and popular culture Susanne Dietzel; Part III: African American Voices: From Margin to Center: 10. Everybody’s protest novel: the era of Richard Wright Jerry W. Ward, Jr.; 11. Finding common ground: Ralph Ellison and James Baldwin Herman Beavers; 12. American neo-hoodooism: the novels of Ishmael Reed Pierre-Damien Mvuyekure; 13. Spaces for readers: the novels of Toni Morrison Marilyn Mobley Mckenzie; 14. African American womanism: from Zora Neale Hurston to Alice Walker Lovalerie King; 15. Vernacular modernism in the novels of John Edgar Wideman and Leon Forrest Keith Byerman.

\'As usual, this Cambridge publication lives up to its name as a \'companion\' in more than one way. In all senses, this companion offers a fresh and clear overview of a genre, which is well researched and respected. This book refreshes the air for postgraduates and teachers of literary and historical studies, whilst being indispensable for the undergraduate student or any individual seeking an introduction to this vital aspect of the modern novel.\' Reference Reviews