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Postcolonial Literature

Postcolonial Literature is, quite simply, the literature of former colonies produced since they ceased to be colonies. It tends to be used more for former British colonies but can apply to any former colonies of European powers. The literature and study of the literature often deals with issues of the transition from a colonial to a post-colonial stage, racism, the lingering effects of colonialism, continuing racial and economic imperialism and criticism of postcolonial literature for not addressing issues of colonialism and the colonisers. Edward Said is one of the many critics to address this issue, starting with his seminal work, Orientalism. However, the term is now found in virtually every English literature academic department and there are numerous books and theses on the topic. Many of the authors on this site are postcolonial authors.

Other links

Postcolonial Literature
Postcolonial Studies
“Postcolonial Literature”: Problems with the Term
Post-colonial Literature
Ph. D. Reading List Post-Colonial Literature and Theory