Recent Latin American cultural and political magazines have noted the trend of postmodernity in the literature of the region, with a range of responses. Some critics consider it a foreign importation and sign of cultural imperialism. Others feel that postmodernism reflects a culture of mass media manipulated by the dominating classes. But the debate has been particularly headed by a new group of young writers who consider themselves postmodern and politically progressive: Severo Sarduy of Cuba, Diamela Eltit of Chile, and R.H. Moreno-Duran of Colombia, among others. By examining a group of the most representative innovative writers active today, Williams argues that the postmodern novel in Latin America is as political and valuable as its more traditional and modern predecessors.

This insider's account of Colombia's culture and customs helps the reader develop a balanced view of Colombian life today. Colombia has the longest-standing democratic political system in Latin America, but it is also one of the most violent nations in the world. The full gamut of its culture--both positive and negative--is revealed in this insightful book that is ideal for student research. The authors highlight the most notable aspects of contemporary Colombian culture including coffee production, Nobel Laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez, painter Fernando Botero, vallenato music, and the notorious drug cartels.

Colombia is one of the most diverse, regionalistic, and tradition-bound nations in Latin America. "Culture and Customs of Colombia" offers a thorough examination of those features of national life that make Colombia unique. The book begins by introducing the reader to Colombia's history, geography, and economy. Subsequent chapters discuss the profound importance of the formalities of Catholicism in daily and civic life, as well as the significance of traditional foods and clothing. Colombia's increasingly dynamic cultural scene is detailed in chapters on the performing arts and the plastic arts. The discussion of Colombian literature culminates in a special chapter devoted to the luminary Gabriel GarcIa Marquez, known the world over for his magical novels, and whose influence and cultural participation in Colombian society are wide-ranging.

Series Editor: Herbert Sussman, Northeastern University

The volumes in this series examine significant literary foundations of the novel, by applying the most recent critical approaches: Marxism, feminism, structuralism, and others. Each volume surveys a specific novel-writing tradition, and includes: A chronology listing publication dates of major novels, birth and death dates of novelists, and dates of significant events An introductory overview of the novels and their critical reception A summary of the state of the criticism Primary and secondary source bibliographies