'SABITA: A Journal of Humaties': new review of 'Navigating Boundaries: A Comprehensive Study of Postcolonial Theory and Literature'
We are pleased to announce that Navigating Boundaries: A Comprehensive Study of Postcolonial Theory and Literature by Shuchi Agrawal has been reviewed by Shivani Singh (Amity University) and published in the 'SABITA: A Journal of Humaties', Vol II, Issue I (2025), ISSN: 3107-376X (Online), pp. 74-78:
[...] By tying together key academic debates on identity, resistance, language, gender and nationalism the book under review provides a comprehensive examination of postcolonial theory and literature. Its structured approach and inclusion of literary studies from South Asian and the Caribbean alongside engagements with seminal postcolonial theorists make it an indispensable resource for scholars, students and researchers in post-colonial studies, literary criticism and cultural theory. The book’s interdisciplinary character and emphasis on current viewpoints assure its continuing relevance in postcolonial discourse making it an essential text for those seeking deeper understanding of the complexities of power, resistance and identity in a post-colonial world. [...]
[Extract from book review on 'SABITA: A Journal of Humaties', Vol II, Issue I (2025), ISSN: 3107-376X (Online), pp. 74-78. Reviewer: Shivani Singh (Amity University). https://sabitajournal.com/index.php/sabita/article/view/44/49]
Find out more about the book and order your copy here: "Navigating Boundaries: A Comprehensive Study of Postcolonial Theory and Literature"
'Navigating Boundaries: A Comprehensive Study of Postcolonial Theory and Literature' delves into the intricate area of postcolonial discourse, amplifying the voices emerging from the margins, challenging dominant narratives while exploring the themes of identity, mimicry, hybridity, power and resistance. Drawing from key theorists such as Edward Said, Homi K. Bhabha, Frantz Fanon, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Philip G. Altbach, Deepesh Chakravarthy, Chandra Talpade Mohanty, Gauri Viswanathan etc., this book offers a deep investigation into the multiple aspects of theoretical frameworks that shape postcolonial discourse. The analysis moves seamlessly from theory to literature, investigating how postcolonial literary texts navigate critical issues such as hybridity, mimicry, identity and resistance.
A vital resource for students, research scholars, teachers, and anyone curious about the dynamic field of postcolonial theory and literature, this book calls readers to reflect, question, and join the discourse on the complex narratives that continue to shape our world. Generally, most of the postcolonial critiques explore linguistic imperialism, but this book makes a groundbreaking contribution by foregrounding the use of vernacular languages in literary texts and critical theory, positing that this is not just an aesthetic choice but a form of resistance and identity reclamation. In doing so, it echoes Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s call for linguistic decolonization and applies it in a broader, more diverse context, examining how the act of writing in local languages disrupts colonial power dynamics and fosters cultural preservation. While much of postcolonial criticism tends to centre on broad historical and political analysis, 'Navigating Boundaries' emphasizes the multiple voices coming from Africa, Caribbean and South Asia, offering a more intimate look at identity formation in postcolonial settings. Moreover, the book’s interdisciplinary approach strengthens its position in the field. By weaving in cultural studies, sociology, and psychological perspectives on gender, trauma, ethnicity and memory, it opens up fresh pathways, making the work relevant not just for literary scholars, but for those interested in a wider discourse on postcolonial theory.
Edition 1st
ISBN 979-8-8819-0095-3
Published in February 2025
Page last updated on October 21st 2025. All information correct at the time, but subject to change.
