Exploring the Literature of Afro-Surrealism

Thursdays, 7-9 pm ET,  beginning April 17

This spring, the MEP Literature Reading Group takes up novels loosely grouped as “Afro-Surrealism.” Borrowing from use by Amiri Baraka in the 1970s, D. Scot Miller encouraged use of the term through his 2009 essay, “Afrosurreal Manifesto.” Writers and artists in the African diaspora have now reclaimed the imaginative, wondrous, and contradictory aspects of Black life and artistic expression from the belittling slights of Western surrealists. We will read three novels contributing to this revival:

• Tram 83, Fiston Mwanza Mujila, on April 17, 24
• Oreo, by Fran Ross, on May 1, 8 
• Ready to Burst, by Frankétienne, May 22, 29

Convened by Jacqueline Cantwell and the MEP Literature Reading Group. Jacqueline Cantwell became involved with the MEP’s Literature Group because of her love of Victor Serge’s  novels. Participating in an MEP reading group led by Serge translator Richard Greeman eight years ago, Jacqueline found a community of readers eager to be challenged by the ambitions of international writers devoted to the creative potential of political fiction. Since the death of Michael Lardner, who hosted and organized the Literature Group for so many years, Jacqueline has taken the lead in furthering the group’s goals of exploring international fiction and encouraging thoughtful conversation.

The image used here accompanied the Fall 2013 publication of Miller’s essay in Black Camera, based on artist and creative Sherese Francis’ 2012 illustration for Miller’s essay on Francis’ blog, futuristically ancient.