Literatures and Cultures of the Islamic World Anglophone Kurdish Narratives Unveiled

Drawing on a rich and varied methodology, the book advances research on testimonial narratives at a time when the literary landscape is witnessing an increasing outpouring of witness literature in response to ongoing issues of colonization, warfare, and violence. This book explores the intricate and dynamic role of readers as witnesses, with a specific focus on Kurdish literature in English as a case study. It aims to show how readers actively engage with witness literature, serving both as witnesses to the narratives presented and as active participants in acts of resistance. Kurdish Anglophone writings offer distinctive case studies that unveil the intricate interplay between narratives and readers' positionality and response-ability. These positions span the Western world, with a particular focus on Euro-America and Australia, as well as the Middle Eastern nations where Kurds have been historically divided and marginalized. Additionally, there are readers from marginalized communities around the world, described here as ‘global solidarity readers’. This book considers how each of these reader positions offers a unique vantage point for engaging with these narratives. Drawing on a rich and varied methodology, the book advances research on testimonial narratives at a time when the literary landscape is witnessing an increasing outpouring of witness literature in response to ongoing issues of colonization, warfare, and violence.