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James Baldwin's reputation has to a large extent been studied as an isolated American phenomenon. This book-length study is the first that examines the large body of criticism by French-language critics. The wealth of documents makes possible the comparison of African critics of French expression of African-American literature and allows for comparisons of Francophone and American critics as well. James Baldwin is the most intensely studied author in France among the postwar group of African-American authors since Richard Wright. This study shows that the complex and substantive reasons for Baldwin's success go beyond the obvious interest of the French in African-American literature and his intermittent stay in France for nearly four decades.
About the author
The Author: Rosa Bobia is Professor of French and Francophone African Literature at Kennesaw State University. She received her B.A. from North Carolina Central University and her Ph.D in Comparative Literature from Vanderbilt University. Her recent publications are on African women writers of French expression.
Report
"Rosa Bobia's study of the critical reception of Baldwin in France is broad in scope in that it covers more than three decades (1952-1988) of Baldwin criticism and an interview with him on his French reception. Additionally, it adds to the body of knowledge not only on Baldwin, but also on the French response to African-Americans and African-American artists who reside therein. It further suggests how American attitude is reflected and/or replicated in French criticism." (H.R. Houston, Professor of English, Tennessee State University)
"Dr. Bobia has written a meticulous, probing, and comprehensive study providing the many reasons for James Baldwin's singular critical success in France. The examination of other writers here, including Richard Wright, Chester Himes, and Amiri Baraka, in the course of her work punctuates the range and value of the book for scholars of American literature, at home and abroad. It is a model of international reception studies in structure, context, and scope." (Michel Fabre, Professor Emeritus, Research Center in African-American Studies at the University of Paris III)
