In The Fantasy of Globalism, John Waldron brings together texts that are often read in terms of the Neo-baroque and combines these with some unexpected choices to demonstrate how these writers engage with imperial, colonial representations of Latin American and the Caribbean throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Waldron's dynamic and insightful readings of authors such as Alejo Carpentier, Gabriel ... Read moreGarcia Marquez, Ana Lydia Vega, Judith Ortiz Cofer, and Mayra Montero, in conjunction with contemporary theoretical ideas about globalization which he roots in the baroque, create a dialogue among old and new voices and a much-needed revision of concepts such as magical realism. The scope of Waldron's project is impressive, and he tackles it with intelligence, acumen, and compassion. His book adds another intriguing perspective to the on-going conversation about Latinamericanism today.
Jill S. Kuhnheim, University of Kansas John Waldron's book brings together disparate critical perspectives in current Latin Americanist practice. Ranging from Alejo Carpentier to Mayra Montero, from Severo Sarduy to Antonio Viego, Waldron picks up the pieces of twentieth-century practice and weaves them into a reading strategy for the twenty-first. His choices in both fiction and criticism span a generational gap in Latin Americanism by reading 'classic' texts and criticism in the context of globalization, which allows Waldron to revive Magical Realism from its commodified tomb. Waldron's erudite, insightful readings and articulate prose then redeploy Magical Realism and contemporary Latin Americanism to destabilize the crippling hegemony of the present.
Marcus Embry, University of Northern Colorado Show Less