The first title of a new African literature series, this is a lively, accomplished collection of essays about modern African literature in French. It aims to address the need - of both the anglophone African and the non-African reader - for literary criticism of francophone literature in English, and thus bridge a prevailing, prohibitive lanaguage and cultural barrier. The collection covers a comprehensive range of genres - from the epic traditon and oral literature, to poetry and the modern novel. Its contributors are all specialists in French literature and African literature in French, and...

The second volume in this African Literature series arises from the need of Nigerian universities for literary criticism of African literature in French, for an English speaking audience. Additionally, the work aims to offer a comparative perspective on francophone literature, and thus diversify away from the formal linguistic and textual analysis typical of traditional French/francophone criticism, towards a broader approach and examination of literature rooted in a social and political context. The work is broadly divided into three sections: poetry, novels and theatre. Examples of the...