Inside Out

In a time of dynamism and contradiction in Pacific cultural production, a time of 'turning things over' and 'writing from the inside out,' this far-reaching volume provides a comprehensive set of essays and interviews on the emergent literatures of the New Pacific. With its dynamic combination of important position papers, polemics, and decolonizing critiques by noted authors and of analysis by new and established post-colonial scholars, this volume exposes 'the maze and mix of literatures and cultural identities breaking down and building up across the Pacific Ocean.' This pioneering work will be the definitive resource for anyone researching or teaching Pacific literature and will be invaluable for bringing Pacific culture to readers outside the region.

In a time of dynamism and contradiction in Pacific cultural production, a time of _turning things over_ and _writing from the inside out,_ this far-reaching volume provides a comprehensive set of essays and interviews on the emergent literatures of the New Pacific. With its dynamic combination of important position papers, polemics, and decolonizing critiques by noted authors and of analysis by new and established post-colonial scholars, this volume exposes _the maze and mix of literatures and cultural identities breaking down and building up across the Pacific Ocean._

Booknews

In this collection of essays, interviews, and reflections, a number of Pacific scholars and writers discuss recent questions concerning the creation, circulation, and critical reading of contemporary Pacific literature. Wilson, (English, U. of Hawaii-Manoa) argues in the introduction that because of the Pacific Islands' colonial history, these texts are not just literary icons, but also "sites of social representations and historical struggle." Contributions include interviews with Epeli Hau'ofa, Alan Duff, Patricia Grace, and Albert Wendt; essays on the decolonization of Hawaiian literature; and an article making suggestions as to how scholars can retheorize the texts of Oceania. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

A playwright and scholar, Vilsoni Hereniko is associate professor of Pacific Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and editor of the Talanoa series of Pacific literature. His recent plays include Last Virgin in Paradise and Fine Dancing. A poet and scholar, Rob Wilson is professor of English at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. His publications include American Sublime and Asia/Pacific as Space of Cultural Production.