The Postcolonial Exotic

Graham Huggan's The Postcolonial Exotic investigates how value is assigned to postcolonial literature, examining its cultural implications and market dynamics.

In The Postcolonial Exotic, Graham Huggan delves into the intricate processes that attribute value to postcolonial literature within its cultural context. Employing a blend of literary-critical and sociological analysis, he explores how these works are perceived and valued in a predominantly Western framework. The book raises essential questions about the role of travel writing in shaping perceptions of the world and whether similar dynamics apply to contemporary postcolonial narratives.

Huggan's examination is expansive, covering a variety of topics that include the phenomenon of 'Indo-chic', the historical significance of the Heinemann African Writers series, and the influential role of prestigious awards like the Booker Prize. He also discusses the impact of the US academic star-system and the representation of multicultural narratives in Canadian anthologies, as well as the portrayal of postcolonial themes in Australian 'tourist novels'. By addressing these diverse elements, The Postcolonial Exotic highlights the complex interplay between culture, commerce, and identity in the postcolonial literary landscape.

This thought-provoking volume emphasizes the urgency for a nuanced understanding of how postcolonial works are produced, disseminated, and consumed. Huggan's insights challenge readers to reconsider the implications of exoticism in postcolonial studies and to reflect on the broader cultural dynamics at play in the global literary marketplace.