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Cover of Canadian Inuit literature
5.0

Based on 2 Google Books ratings

Canadian Inuit literature

by Robin McGrath

Book Details

Publisher:University of Ottawa Press
Published:1984-01-01
Pages:242
Format:BOOK
Language:en

Reading Info

About This Book

A study of the development of contemporary Inuit literature, in both Inuktitut and English, including a discussion of its themes, structures and roots in oral tradition. The author concludes that a strong continuity persists between the two narrative forms despite apparent differences in subject matter and language. Published in English.

Our Review

This insightful study traces the evolution of contemporary Inuit literary expression, bridging the gap between ancient oral storytelling traditions and modern written works in both Inuktitut and English. McGrath meticulously examines the thematic concerns, narrative structures, and cultural underpinnings that define this unique body of work, offering a crucial analysis for anyone seeking to understand Indigenous literary movements. The book serves as a vital academic resource, charting the course of Inuit narratives from their origins to their current place in the global literary landscape.

What makes this analysis particularly compelling is its central argument for a powerful, unbroken continuity between the old and new forms, despite shifts in language and subject matter. McGrath convincingly demonstrates how the soul of oral tradition animates contemporary novels, poetry, and memoirs, revealing a resilient cultural thread. Readers with an interest in postcolonial studies, Indigenous rights, and the dynamic preservation of culture through art will find this work profoundly enlightening, as it fundamentally reshapes the understanding of what constitutes a living literary tradition.

Themes

Social Science

Subjects

Social Science