Coming of Age
in the Afro-Latin American Novel
BONNIE S. WASSERMAN
Coming of Age in the Afro-Latin American novel explores themes related to Blackness, Religion and Immigration.
After reading many books I saw that there was a coming-of-age theme in Afro-American novels and decided to explore it. From there I saw the sub-topics of Blackness, Religion and Immigration.
The Bildungsroman is a type of novel that developed in Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries and follows the life of a young boys growing up. Typically, it deals with education or travel. In my book I identify women and families as protagonists of the modern bildungsroman.
The first novel I identified was The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by the Dominican author Junot Diaz. After reading the book format of City of God by the Brazilian author Paulo Lins I saw a pattern of topics in Afro-Latin American Literature.
Slavery had a huge impact on the history of Latin America in terms of race and economics. As a result people of color today have a more difficult time obtaining education and work that will advance them in society. Only with reparations and a serious attempt to acknowledge the past will countries such as those in my book move forward.
I learned a lot about the Cuban Revolution.
I have always been interested in African Diasporic religions in Brazil ever since I was an exchange student there at age 16.
I think my study demonstrates the impact that Africa has on Latin America. Also, the last chapter explores creative ways in which the Afro-Latin American bildungsroman is moving in new directions.
Coming of Age in the Afro-Latin American Novel
BONNIE S. WASSERMAN
Hardcover, 9781648250286, May 2022
176 pp.
£70.00 / $85.00
Rochester Studies in African History and the Diaspora
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WITH CODE: BB048
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BONNIE S. WASSERMAN is Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at the University of Arizona.
