During the last decades of the twentieth century it has become increasingly difficult to consider British literature as 'national' or 'mainstream'. The book investigates contemporary fiction and poetry written in, or relating to, Britain and uncovers a distinct sense of a new and different national and social reality. Tracing literary effects of migration, globalization, and regionalization the book focuses on literary tradition as an inspiration or object of hate and frustration for the exploration and expression of post-Imperial experiences.

LARS OLE SAUEBERG is Professor of Literature in English at the University of Southern Denmark and General Editor of Orbis Litterarum.

Preface Introduction Literary Britain Between the Imperial Legacy and Regional Devolution Verbal (Pre)Occupations Wholly Female, Partly Foreign In the Great Tradition-but with a Difference Global Villagers Adopting and Adapting Crime Fiction Conclusive Essay: Critical Perspective Notes Bibliography Index