New Books in Literary Studies

Kathryn Robson, a Reader in French at Newcastle University, explores happiness in contemporary French women's writing and film. She examines the complexities of defining happiness and critiques its representations in consumer culture and social media. Robson discusses how intimacy, migration, and queerness challenge traditional notions of happiness while highlighting the role of aging in rethinking joy. By weaving in diverse narratives, she advocates for a more inclusive understanding of happiness, addressing both its limitations and potential.

Arnab Dutta Roy, an assistant professor of English and co-editor of The Postcolonial Bildungsroman, shares insights on the evolution of the Bildungsroman genre. He discusses its transformation from a European literary concept to a global narrative addressing contemporary issues like identity, sexuality, and the climate crisis. Arnab highlights the genre’s renewed political relevance amid global challenges and explains the collaborative journey of editing the volume amid obstacles like COVID-19. He also previews his upcoming project on Universalisms in Indian Literatures.

Carl Rollyson, a notable Professor Emeritus of Journalism and prolific biographer, dives deep into the life of literary icon Sylvia Plath. He discusses how Plath's childhood diaries reveal her development and the influence of critical readings on her creative journey. Rollyson also uncovers hidden archival discoveries and the complex dynamics with figures like Ted Hughes that shaped her legacy. Additionally, he explores how media and her tumultuous relationships informed her unique voice, offering a fresh perspective on both her artistry and struggles.

Megan Walsh, a London-based writer and literary journalist, discusses her book, highlighting the vibrant and diverse landscape of contemporary Chinese fiction. She delves into the impact of censorship on writers, showcasing how they creatively navigate sensitive topics through fiction. Walsh explores the rise of genres like danmei romance and sci-fi, emphasizing the cultural and generational themes in modern novels. She argues for the importance of understanding these narratives as a way to grasp the complexities of China's social fabric.

Elliott Rabin, a comparative literature scholar and author, dives into the complexities of biblical heroes in his discussion. He explores why the Bible portrays its heroes with flaws, contrasting them with more glorified characters from other cultures. Rabin shares how personal experiences, like Shabbat-table conversations, inspired his work and discusses the relevance of biblical stories in contemporary contexts, such as the COVID pandemic. He also considers the role of God as a hero and reflects on teaching these themes to students, highlighting the importance of narrative depth.

Bill V. Mullen, Professor at Purdue University and author of *James Baldwin: Living in Fire*, examines the pivotal life of the iconic writer. He highlights Baldwin’s tough childhood and the vital influence of his teacher. Mullen discusses Baldwin's exile, his observations in Turkey and Israel, and the connections to Palestinian struggles. The conversation also touches on Baldwin's critiques of capitalism and his shifting relationship with Malcolm X, reflecting on his enduring legacy in the context of today's movements like Black Lives Matter.

Cassandra S. Tully de Lope, a researcher specializing in contemporary Irish literature and masculinities, discusses her groundbreaking book on masculinity in Irish literature. She explores the literary evolution of male identities, from warrior archetypes like Cú Chulainn to the complexities of Celtic Tiger 'lads' and traditional fathers. Cassandra shares insights on how corpus linguistics reveals the limitations of these masculine models and examines generational conflicts between fathers and sons. She also highlights her innovative methodology and future research plans.

Dr. Evie Kendal, a bioethicist and public health scientist, dives into the intriguing intersection of science fiction and ethics. She explores how nostalgia TV and literature can inform public health, discusses ectogenesis as a radical bioethical concept, and critiques the misuse of dystopian narratives. Kendal emphasizes the need for rigorous literary analysis in bioethics and warns against oversimplifying complex technologies. Get ready to rethink the role of fiction in shaping ethical discussions around emerging technologies!

Originating in Norse and Celtic mythologies, elves and fairies are a firmly established part of Western popular culture. Since the days of the Vikings and Arthurian legend, these sprites have undergone huge transformations. From J. R. R. Tolkien’s warlike elves, based on medieval legend, to little flower fairies whose charms even Sir Arthur Conan Doyle succumbed to, they permeate European art and culture. In Elves and Fairies: A Short History of the Otherworld (Yale University Press, 2025), Dr. Matthias Egeler explores these mythical creatures of Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, and England, and their continental European cousins. Dr. Egeler goes on a journey through enchanted landscapes and literary worlds. He describes both their friendly and their dangerous, even deadly, sides. We encounter them in the legends of King Arthur’s round table and in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, in the terrible era of the witch trials, in magic’s peaceful conquest of Victorian bourgeois salons, in the child-friendly form of Peter Pan, and even as helpers in the contemporary fight against environmental destruction. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda’s interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literary-studies

In “[M]y ‘case’ to work up’: William Carlos Williams’s Paterson” (William Carlos Williams Review, Volume 41, Number 2, 2024), Walter Scott Peterson argues that as a physician-poet Dr. Williams approaches his poetic material very much as he approaches his patients, and that the form of Paterson in particular is intentionally and actually reminiscent of the various forms taken by the medical case narrative, or “work-up.” This episode concerns the poet and physician William Carlos Williams, whose mother, Raquel Hélène Rose Hoheb Williams, was born and raised in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. This conversation is part of the STEM to STEAM initiative, sponsored by the Teagle Foundation, that links medicine, science, technology and engineering to the sensibilities honed in the humanities—rethinking ways to blend and combine studies in literature, poetry, history, philosophy, and the arts as more central dimensions of technical preparation. The discussion explores the profound connection between medical humanities and poetry, highlighting how their combination enriches our understanding of patient care, fosters empathy, and humanizes the medical experience. Medical humanities is an interdisciplinary field combining arts, literature, philosophy and cultural approaches to the human condition—considering each of these as insights into the emotional and ethical dimensions of healthcare. Poetry can serve as a powerful tool for expressing the complex feelings and narratives that often go unspoken in clinical settings. Blending poetry and the science of healthcare reminds us that medicine is not just a science but also an art, emphasizing compassion, understanding, and the shared human experience at the heart of healing. In this episode are: Walter Scott Peterson is a retired ophthalmologist and William Carlos Williams scholar; he is the author of the first book-length study of William Carlos Williams’s epic poem Paterson, titled An Approach to Paterson (Yale, 1967). Vamsi Koneru is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry in the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Jeffrey Herlihy-Mera, Professor of Humanities at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literary-studies