The emergent culture of crime writings in late 19th century
colonial Bengal (India) is an interesting testimony to how
literature is shaped by various material forces including the
market. This book deals with true crime writings of the late 1800s
published by ‘lowbrow publishing houses’ — infamous for
publishing ‘sensational’ and the ‘vulgar’ literature —
which had an avid bhadralok (genteel) readership. The volume
focuses on select translations of true crime writings by Bakaullah
and Priyanath Mukhopadhyay who worked as darogas (Detective
Inspectors) in the police department in mid-late nineteenth century
colonised Bengal. These published accounts of cases investigated by
them are among the very first manifestations of the crime genre in
India. The writings reflect their understandings of criminality and
guilt, as well as negotiations with colonial law and policing.
Further, through a selection of cases in which women make an
appearance either as victims or offenders, (or sometimes as both,)
this book sheds light on the hidden gendered experiences of the
time, often missing in mainstream Bangla literature. Combining a
love for suspense with critical readings of a cultural phenomenon,
this book will be of much interest to scholars and researchers of
comparative literature, translation studies, gender studies,
literary theory, cultural studies, modern history, and lovers of
crime fiction from all disciplines.
General
Imprint: |
Routledge India
|
Country of origin: |
United Kingdom |
Release date: |
September 2023 |
First published: |
2021 |
Authors: |
Shampa Roy
|
Dimensions: |
234 x 156mm (L x W) |
Pages: |
198 |
ISBN-13: |
978-0-367-54099-9 |
Categories: |
Books
|
LSN: |
0-367-54099-1 |
Barcode: |
9780367540999 |
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