Scotland and its literature hold a strange fascination for many people. Be it the proto-romantic poetry of Robert Burns or simply time travel love stories set in a Jacobite Scotland (and actually written by an American author): the country’s charm seems to stem mostly from the question of a national identiy, the sound of the language, and the fact that Scotland is steeped in history and folklore, a preoccupation can also be seen in the so-called Scottish Renaissances.
In this seminar we will look at contemporary Scottish fiction of the last 25 years, discussing aspects such as myth, identity, religion, and much more. We’ll look at postmodern storytelling strategies and see how the country is often represented as a character in itself.
This is a seminar for avid readers. You are expected to read and prepare all four novels plus a number of shorter theoretical texts, so please only sign up if you are willing to put in the effort!!!
Please obtain copies of the following:
John Burnside – Glister
Kate Atkinson – Human Croquet
Jenni Fagan – Luckenbooth
Sarah Moss – Summer Water |
