Synopsis
Postcolonial studies overlook colonialism's "challenge to the literal," according to Harper (English, U. of Wales, Bangor). In introducing 13 contributed chapters striving to draw the line between reality and fantasy, he stresses that comedy and fantasy in colonial cultures need to be grounded in both the social and personal. One case studies exemplifies the disconnect between Western definitions of fantasy in critical texts and indigenous African traditions. A study of British women colonial writers' comic novels at the Empire's sunset explores the issue from a colonial framework. Other topics include magic realism as trans- cultural humor, carnival in Malta under British rule, and Native American trickster-outlaws and the comedy of survival. Illustrations include mid-19th century editorial cartoons. Annotation c. Book News, Inc.,Portland, OR