Interrogating Lesbian Modernism - by Elizabeth English & Jana Funke & Sarah Parker (Hardcover)

About the Book

A timely and original examination of lesbian modernism.

Book Synopsis

Makiko Minow coined the phrase 'lesbian modernism' in 1989. Since then, scholars of lesbian modernism have produced crucial work to critique and expand the modernist canon. At the same time, there has been ongoing critical debate about what constitutes a lesbian modernist text, who counts as a lesbian modernist author, and how lesbian modernism relates to queer and trans modernism. This edited volume presents twelve newly commissioned chapters that reassess and interrogate the meanings, uses and limitations of lesbian modernism by exploring a broad range of authors, genres and histories. Individual chapters investigate what work the concept of 'lesbian modernism' has done in the past, how its boundaries have been defined and contested, and what voices have been included and excluded. As a whole, the book demonstrates how the concept of lesbian modernism can be mobilised in new and meaningful ways to continue to inform and enrich modernist studies.

From the Back Cover

A critical intervention and retrospective in debates about the meanings and uses of lesbian modernism Since Makiko Minow coined the phrase 'lesbian modernism' in 1989, scholars have produced crucial work to critique and expand the modernist canon. There is ongoing critical debate about what constitutes a lesbian modernist text, who counts as a lesbian modernist author, and how lesbian modernism relates to queer and trans modernism. This edited volume presents twelve newly commissioned chapters that reassess and interrogate the meanings, uses and limitations of lesbian modernism by exploring a broad range of authors, genres and histories. Individual chapters investigate what work the concept of 'lesbian modernism' has done in the past, how its boundaries have been defined and contested and what voices have been included and excluded. Split into four parts - 'Interrogating Lesbian/Queer/Trans Modernism', 'Genres and Forms', 'Relationality, Networks and Kinship' and 'Histories and Temporalities' - Interrogating Lesbian Modernism demonstrates how the concept of lesbian modernism can be mobilised in new and meaningful ways to continue to inform and enrich modernist studies. Elizabeth English is a Senior Lecturer in English at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Jana Funke is Associate Professor of English and Sexuality Studies at the University of Exeter. Sarah Parker is a Senior Lecturer in English at Loughborough University.

Review Quotes

This impressive essay collection showcases the range and - perhaps more crucially - the continuing relevance of lesbian studies to scholars of literary modernism. Interrogating Lesbian Modernism invites readers to reflect on the past, present, and future of the figure of the 'lesbian' and will undoubtedly influence how we engage with modernity itself.--Laura Doan, author of Disturbing Practices: History, Sexuality, and Women's Experience of Modern War

About the Author

Elizabeth English is a Senior Lecturer in English at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Jana Funke is Associate Professor of English and Sexuality Studies at the University of Exeter.

Sarah Parker is a Senior Lecturer in English at Loughborough University.