A Morbid Fascination White Prose and Politics in Apartheid South Africa |
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Author:
| Peck, Richard |
Series title: | Contributions to the Study of World Literature Ser. |
ISBN: | 978-0-313-30091-2 |
Publication Date: | Feb 1997 |
Publisher: | Bloomsbury Publishing USA
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Imprint: | Praeger |
Book Format: | Hardback |
List Price: | USD $95.00 |
Book Description:
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Using a broad range of literature to examine the political culture of white South Africa, Peck finds both a preoccupation with political issues and a dislike for politics. The literature examined ranges from South African propaganda, through a variety of bestsellers--adventure stories and mystery novels written by authors such as Wilbur Smith and James McClure--to self-conscious literary works of the canonical white South African authors such as Alan Paton, André Brink, and Nadine...
More DescriptionUsing a broad range of literature to examine the political culture of white South Africa, Peck finds both a preoccupation with political issues and a dislike for politics. The literature examined ranges from South African propaganda, through a variety of bestsellers--adventure stories and mystery novels written by authors such as Wilbur Smith and James McClure--to self-conscious literary works of the canonical white South African authors such as Alan Paton, André Brink, and Nadine Gordimer. The study gives attention to anti-political features of the liberal tradition that dominated South African writing, and to the failure of writers who undermined that tradition to generate a more positive view of politics. The morbid fascination with politics that is found across the full spectrum of creative writing is a reflection of the circumstances in which writers found themselves, but it is still a worrisome feature of the white South African political culture.