Article first published as Book Review: Transformations of the Liminal Self: Configurations of Home and Identity for Muslim Characters in British Postcolonial Fiction by Alaa Alghamdi on Blogcritics.
Alaa Alghamdi examines the works of British authors Salman Rushdie, Hanif Kureishi, Zadie Smith, Monica Ali, and Fadia Faqir, highly recognized as classic writers in the genre of Postcolonial fiction. “Transformations of the Liminal Self: Configurations of Home and Identity for Muslim Characters in British Postcolonial Fiction” is an analysis of how home and identity are impacted by the interaction between dominant and subdominant cultures, and the result of combining the undercurrents of a colonial relationship, and an individual immigrant’s experience, and their culture. Alghamdi addresses the textual analysis of postmodern and postcolonial theory.
Alghamdi also looks at the multicultural setting, illustrated by the theoretical work of Homi Bhabha, Rosemary Marangoly George, Gayatri Chakrovorty Spivak, and Edward Said. Alaa shapes his conclusions from research into the link between the idea of home and the concept of identity in the Postcolonial fiction specifically as it deals with the Muslim and exiled immigrants.
Modern technologies in media communication, and air travel, have influenced the rapid growth of a global economy, resulting in the relocation of millions of individuals and families. This phenomenon brings with it an identity crisis, which has influenced fictional narratives addressing cultural and ethnic identity.
“Transformations of the Liminal Self: Configurations of Home and Identity for Muslim Characters in British Postcolonial Fiction” is an important contribution to the genre of literature. The writing is scholarly, the research meticulous, the conclusions sound and brilliantly articulated. Alaa Alghamdi is a fresh voice destined to join the ranks of contemporary noted literary critics.
Transformations of the Liminal Self: Configurations of Home and Identity for Muslim Characters in British Postcolonial Fiction
Alaa Alghamdi
iUniverse (2011)
ISBN 9781462044887
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (9/12)




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