Transcultural notion of 'Polishness' as illustrated in selected works by Eva Stachniak and Lisa Appignanesi (in polish)

Grossman, E. (2012) Transcultural notion of 'Polishness' as illustrated in selected works by Eva Stachniak and Lisa Appignanesi (in polish). In: Cudak, R. (ed.) Literatura polska w swiecie. Oblicza swiatowosci. Series: Literatura polska w swiecie, IV. Uniwersytet Slaski, Wydawnictwo GNOME: Katowice, pp. 361-371. ISBN 9788363268077

Abstract

Eva Stachniak and Lisa Appignanesi have authored many works that defy clear classification criteria when national literatures are concerned. Most of their works belong to a broad category of writing that could be defined as 'transcultural, nomadic, diasporic, the writing for a new belonging, the third value or third space as well as the grey zone wriitng.' The article analyses the notion of 'Polishness' as it negotiated in two novels: The Necessary Lies (2001)by Stachniak and The Memory Man (2004)by Appignanesi. Although both novels were originally written in English, their fictional words centre on Poland and feature characters affected by their memories of WW2 and their post-communist experiences. The main concern here is how these novels compare with the home-born notion of monolithic 'Polishness' and what benefits such a comparison can offer to contemporary readers of Polish literature.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Grossman, Dr Elwira
• Authors: Grossman, E.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Modern Languages and Cultures > Slavonic Studies
• Publisher: Uniwersytet Slaski, Wydawnictwo GNOME
• ISBN: 9788363268077