Free (DRM-free PDF) Re-Mapping Exile [Irish Literature & History Analysis Essays]

[ATDrake]

Re-Mapping Exile: Realities and Metaphors in Irish Literature and History edited by Michael Böss, Irene Gilsenan Nordin, & Britta Olinder is a collection of academic essays analyzing the theme of exile as it appears in Irish literature as well historical and song writings both internally in the country and externally as part of the Celtic diaspora of emigrants, free courtesy of Aarhus University Press in Denmark.

This is their featured English-language Free Book of the Month selection for February, and while it does look a bit on the drier side of layperson-accessibility, it also covers things like the song lyrics of popular musician Van Morrison (Wikipedia)

Currently free throughout the month of February directly @ the university's dedicated promo page (DRM-free PDF available worldwide).

And this has been the selected 3rd (non-repeat) free ebook thread of the day.

Frankly, I actually kind of liked the Danish-language FBoTM selection a bit more, because examining the roots and repercussions of historical political philosophy in action with case studies involving middling-obscure events is somewhat more Relevant To My Interests™ than thematic literary analysis, even when the latter comes with a goodly dose of historical cultural context analysis as well. But I figure this one's probably the one with the most appeal to Gentle Readers and it looks like a pretty interesting collection as well and another quality academic offering from AUP.

Enjoy!

Description
The essays in this collection combine historical, cultural, and literary analyses in their treatment of aspects of exile in Irish writing. Some are 'structuralist' in seeing exile as a physical state of being, often associated with absence, into which an individual willingly or unwillingly enters. Others are 'poststructuralist', considering the narration of exile as a celebration of transgressiveness, hybridity, and otherness. This type of exile moves away from a political, cultural, economic idea of exile to an understanding of exile in a wider existential sense.

The theme of exile is discussed in a wide range of texts including literature, political writings and song-writing, either in works of Irish writers not normally associated with exile, or in which new aspects of ‘exile’ can be discerned. The essays cover, among others: Butler, D’Arcy McGee, Mulholland, Joyce, Hewitt, Van Morrison, Ní Chuilleanáin, Doyle, and Banville.

[ATDrake]

Just a reminder that today will be the last day to pick up the freebie if you're interested.