Abstract
Fatou Diome and Aïssatou Diamanka‐Besland are Senegalese women migrant novelists who have addressed the theme of irregular migration between Senegal and France in their literature. The authors, who live in France, write within the context of increased irregular migration and its associated dangers. They also write during a time of increased, and often hyperbolic, public and official discourses surrounding the extent of irregular migration. The authors’ treatment of the theme of migration raises questions concerning the relationship between the Senegalese novelist, her text and her audience. It also raises questions regarding the unique and complex positioning of the migrant writer.
Highlights
Diome’s and Diamanka‐Besland’s novels can be situated within a broader corpus of Senegalese migrant writing and within a substantial and growing field of writing by West a French public and the French‐speaking (African) women migrant authors in France
There has been an increase in more “popular” works by lesser‐ known Senegalese women writers, often published by smaller publishing houses with a particular interest in African fiction
An increase in Francophone African women novelists in France corresponds with growing numbers of independent women migrants, many of whom, like Diamanka‐Besland, migrated to France for educational reasons
Summary
GESTURING TO AN EMPTY THEATRE? Author, Text and Audience in the Fiction of Fatou Diome and Aïssatou Diamanka‐Besland. Fatou Diome and Aïssatou Diamanka‐Besland are Senegalese women migrant novelists who have addressed the theme of irregular migration between Senegal and France in their literature. The authors, who live in France, write within the context of increased irregular migration and its associated dangers. The authors’ treatment of the theme of migration raises questions concerning the relationship between the Senegalese novelist, her text and her audience It raises questions regarding the unique and complex positioning of the migrant writer. Reminiscent of Salie in Diome’s novel, Soukeyna speaks directly to would‐be irregular migrants in Senegal to try to discourage them from attempting a dangerous journey to Europe. Both writers migrated to France in adulthood, where they continue to live and work. A closer reading of these novels reveals the difficult position of both authors as they direct their appeal to multiple readerships, all the while straddling divergent worlds and disparate cultures
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: RELIEF - Revue électronique de littérature française
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
