The Cambridge Companion to Literature and the Posthuman

This book gathers diverse critical treatments from fifteen scholars of the posthuman and posthumanism together in a single volume.

Bruce Clarke (Edited by), Manuela Rossini (Edited by)

9781107086203, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 15 December 2016

280 pages, 3 b/w illus.
23.5 x 15.8 x 2 cm, 0.53 kg

The Cambridge Companion to Literature and the Posthuman is the first work of its kind to gather diverse critical treatments of the posthuman and posthumanism together in a single volume. Fifteen scholars from six different countries address the historical and aesthetic dimensions of posthuman figures alongside posthumanism as a new paradigm in the critical humanities. The three parts and their chapters trace the history of the posthuman in literature and other media, including film and video games, and identify major political, philosophical, and techno-scientific issues raised in the literary and cinematic narratives of the posthuman and posthumanist discourses. The volume surveys the key works, primary modes, and critical theories engaged by depictions of the posthuman and discussions about posthumanism.

Preface: literature, posthumanism, and the posthuman Bruce Clarke and Manuela Rossini
Part I. Literary Periods: 1. Medieval Karl Tobias Steel
2. Early modern Kevin LaGrandeur
3. Romantic Ron Broglio
4. Modern Jeff Wallace
5. Postmodern Stefan Herbrechter
Part II. Posthuman Literary Modes: 6. Science fiction Lisa Yaszek and Jason W. Ellis
7. Autobiography Kari Weil
8. Comics and graphic novels Lisa Diedrich
9. Film Anneke Smelik
10. E-literature Ivan Callus and Mario Aquilina
Part III. Posthuman Themes: 11. The nonhuman Bruce Clarke
12. Bodies Manuela Rossini
13. Objects Ridvan Askin
14. Technologies R. L. Rutsky
15. Futures Claire Colebrook.

Subject Areas: Literary companions, book reviews & guides [DSRC], Literary studies: general [DSB], Literary theory [DSA]