Description: Lynching in American Literature and Journalism is a collection of historical and critical discussions of lynching in America that reflects the shameful, unmoral policies of lynching. Through twelve essays, the book explores writing about lynching as an American tragedy.
Brief description: Robert Butler was theatre critic at the Independent on Sunday from 1995-2000. He is the author of three books in the 'National Theatre at Work' series, of which 'The Art of Darkness' is published by Oberon.
Review Quotes: "This important and timely collection explores diverse representations of lynching in twentieth-century American literature, including fiction and poetry by Dreiser, Faulkner, Wright, Dunbar, Ellison, Miriam Michelson, Leon Forrest, and others. The distinguished roster of contributors considers how, in different ways, creative writers transcended the limitations of conventional journalism that excluded reports of racial violence. An invaluable contribution to interdisciplinary scholarship in American, African American, and modernist studies." --Anita Patterson, Boston University