Subverting Patriarchy: Feminism and Fantasy in the Novels of Irmtraud Morgner

by Alison Lewis

Overview

One of the most innovative examples of the use of fantastic forms in recent feminist fiction can be found in the work of Irmtraud Morgner. Little-known outside German-speaking countries, her unique blend of fantastic realism testifies both to the subversive nature of a literature of fantasy and the transgressive power of a feminist writing practice. This book looks at the way Morgner uses fantasy both as a feminist critique of the history of patriarchy and as a test of the viability of feminist alternatives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780854963225
Publisher:	Berg Publishers
Publication date:	06/05/1995
Series:	Berg Monographs in German Literature Series
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.75(d)

About the Author

Alison Lewis Lecturer in German,School of Humanities, Queensland University of Technology

Editorial Reviews

By evoking an impressive array of literary-historical, semiotic, social, feminisst, and Marxist perspectives, Lewis has produced an innovative and insightful reading of Morgner's work. The wealth of material displayed here will surely prove invaluable for future Morgner scholarship. ...this book is not only highly readable but also makes Morgner's work mre accessible to an English-speaking audience.” —The German Quarterly

From the Publisher

Examines the work of contemporary German writer Morgner, focusing on how the textual and structural strategies of her fantasy subvert dominant representations of the patriarchal reality. Among the topics are the socialist patriarchy of East Germany, the quest for female emancipation, science and magic, history and legends, technology and state control, the witch and the mother, and the quest for peace. Portions have appeared in The Southern Review (Australia) and The German Quarterly. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews