TY - JOUR
T1 - A comparative approach to Pakistani fiction in English
AU - Chambers, Claire Gail
N1 - © 2011 Taylor & Francis. This is an author produced version of a paper accepted for publication in Journal of Postcolonial Writing. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy.
PY - 2011/5
Y1 - 2011/5
N2 - This survey paper adumbrates an opening up of Pakistani fiction in order to draw comparisons with other writing by novelists of Muslim heritage. While Pakistani writers tend to be analysed as part of broader South Asian trends, Pakistan also faces west and has concerns in the Middle East, Central Asia, Europe and beyond that derive from its Muslim identity. Without overstating the idea of a universalizing umma (which can lead to neglect of the differences and tensions between different Muslim groups), the approach has the advantage of bringing together writers from Muslim countries to shed light on each other. South Asians, Arabs, and Africans are discussed together, because of their shared religious heritage, but never overlooking their vast contextual variations. Insights and themes unique to the research include the fact that writers often tap into a canon of largely Muslim literature and art from the Middle East, South Asia and elsewhere, which responds to key moments in the construction of Muslim identity, so intertextuality is a significant concern.
AB - This survey paper adumbrates an opening up of Pakistani fiction in order to draw comparisons with other writing by novelists of Muslim heritage. While Pakistani writers tend to be analysed as part of broader South Asian trends, Pakistan also faces west and has concerns in the Middle East, Central Asia, Europe and beyond that derive from its Muslim identity. Without overstating the idea of a universalizing umma (which can lead to neglect of the differences and tensions between different Muslim groups), the approach has the advantage of bringing together writers from Muslim countries to shed light on each other. South Asians, Arabs, and Africans are discussed together, because of their shared religious heritage, but never overlooking their vast contextual variations. Insights and themes unique to the research include the fact that writers often tap into a canon of largely Muslim literature and art from the Middle East, South Asia and elsewhere, which responds to key moments in the construction of Muslim identity, so intertextuality is a significant concern.
U2 - 10.1080/17449855.2011.557182
DO - 10.1080/17449855.2011.557182
M3 - Article
VL - 47
SP - 122
EP - 134
JO - Journal of Postcolonial Writing
JF - Journal of Postcolonial Writing
SN - 1744-9855
IS - 2
ER -