Not the Troubles - Alternative Narratives From Belfast

Belfast is often analysed as a divided society, anchored in ethno-politico-religious differences amid a long history of conflict. However, shifting the focus of academic attention reveals a range of alternative narratives of city life. Using storytelling as a leitmotif, this ethnographic account explores the epistemological validity of engaging with strangers in a range of settings, such as street corners, a hairdresser's and a storytelling evening. It considers how creative writers represent life in Belfast. The author employs a variety of methods, including a dog as a research assistant and storytelling on location which demonstrates how people can re-shape and re-narrate life in Belfast.

About the author

Karen Lane is a lecturer and Evening Degree Co-ordinator in social anthropology at the University of St Andrews. Her research interests are in storytelling, urban anthropology and using sensory knowledge as a research, teaching and learning tool. She was awarded the David Riches medal in 2017.

Product details

• Authors: Karen Lane, Karen Lane Lane
• Publisher: BERGHAHN BOOKS, INC
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.07.2025
• EAN: 9781836950318
• ISBN: 978-1-83695-031-8
• No. of pages: 228
• Series: Material Mediations: People and Things in a World of Movement
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Social sciences (general); Sociology, Belfast, Sociology: customs & traditions, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / Cultural & Social, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / Urban, Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography, Social and cultural anthropology, Urban communities, Anthropology (General)