Refiguring the Map of Sorrow

Nature Writing and Autobiography

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism
Cover of the book Refiguring the Map of Sorrow by Mark Allister, University of Virginia Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Mark Allister ISBN: 9780813921945
Publisher: University of Virginia Press Publication: October 29, 2001
Imprint: University of Virginia Press Language: English
Author: Mark Allister
ISBN: 9780813921945
Publisher: University of Virginia Press
Publication: October 29, 2001
Imprint: University of Virginia Press
Language: English

Recent decades have witnessed an explosion of interest in both autobiography and environmental literature. In Refiguring the Map of Sorrow, Mark Allister brings these two genres together by examining a distinct form of grief narrative, in which the writers deal with mourning by standing explicitly both outside and inside the text: outside in writing about the natural world; inside in making that exposition part of the grieving process.

Building on Peter Fritzell's thesis in Nature Writing and America that the best American nature writing blends Aristotelian natural history and Augustinian confession, this work of literary interpretation draws on psychoanalytical narrative theory, studies of grieving, autobiography theory, and ecocriticism for its insights into how nature writing can become an autobiographical, healing act.

Allister examines works by Terry Tempest Williams, Sue Hubbell, Peter Matthiessen, Bill Barich, William Least Heat-Moon, and Gretel Ehrlich in order to demonstrate the difficulty of hearing nature speak, and of translating terrain and self into language and form. As he focuses on the many ways in which humans connect—often deeply and urgently—to animals or the land, Allister vastly extends our understanding of "relational" autobiography.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Recent decades have witnessed an explosion of interest in both autobiography and environmental literature. In Refiguring the Map of Sorrow, Mark Allister brings these two genres together by examining a distinct form of grief narrative, in which the writers deal with mourning by standing explicitly both outside and inside the text: outside in writing about the natural world; inside in making that exposition part of the grieving process.

Building on Peter Fritzell's thesis in Nature Writing and America that the best American nature writing blends Aristotelian natural history and Augustinian confession, this work of literary interpretation draws on psychoanalytical narrative theory, studies of grieving, autobiography theory, and ecocriticism for its insights into how nature writing can become an autobiographical, healing act.

Allister examines works by Terry Tempest Williams, Sue Hubbell, Peter Matthiessen, Bill Barich, William Least Heat-Moon, and Gretel Ehrlich in order to demonstrate the difficulty of hearing nature speak, and of translating terrain and self into language and form. As he focuses on the many ways in which humans connect—often deeply and urgently—to animals or the land, Allister vastly extends our understanding of "relational" autobiography.

More books from University of Virginia Press

Cover of the book Partners or Rivals? by Mark Allister
Cover of the book Christian Fundamentalism and the Culture of Disenchantment by Mark Allister
Cover of the book Be It Ever So Humble by Mark Allister
Cover of the book War upon Our Border by Mark Allister
Cover of the book Emily Davies by Mark Allister
Cover of the book First in the Homes of His Countrymen by Mark Allister
Cover of the book Mariana Griswold Van Rensselaer by Mark Allister
Cover of the book Crossing the Boundaries of Belief by Mark Allister
Cover of the book The Mudimbe Reader by Mark Allister
Cover of the book Experiencing Empire by Mark Allister
Cover of the book Mobilizing Opportunities by Mark Allister
Cover of the book The View from the Bench and Chambers by Mark Allister
Cover of the book Pilgrimage to Vallombrosa by Mark Allister
Cover of the book The Law School at the University of Virginia by Mark Allister
Cover of the book Visions of the Maid by Mark Allister
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy