Colonialism / Postcolonialism

New Critical Idiom

by Ania Loomba

Colonialism/Postcolonialism is a comprehensive yet accessible guide to the historical and theoretical dimensions of colonial and postcolonial studies.

Ania Loomba deftly introduces and examines:

key features of the ideologies and history of colonialism
the relationship of colonial discourse to literature
challenges to colonialism, including anticolonial discourses
recent developments in postcolonial theories and histories
issues of sexuality and colonialism, and the intersection of feminist and postcolonial thought
debates about globalization and postcolonialism
Recommended on courses across the academic disciplines and around the world, Colonialism/Postcolonialism has for some years been accepted as the essential introduction to a vibrant and politically charged area of literary and cultural study.

With new coverage of emerging debates around globalization, this second edition will continue to serve as the ideal guide for students new to colonial discourse theory, postcolonial studies or postcolonial theory as well as a reference for advanced students and teachers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy, Politics, History, Theory, Academic, School

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Ania Loomba is an Indian literary scholar. She is the author of Colonialism/Postcolonialism and works as a literature professor at the University of Pennsylvania.

Ania Loomba received her BA (Hons.), M. A., and M. Phil. degrees from the University of Delhi, India, and her Ph. D. from the University of Sussex, UK. She researches and teaches early modern literature, histories of race and colonialism, postcolonial studies, feminist theory, and contemporary Indian literature and culture. She currently holds the Catherine Bryson Chair in the English department. She is also faculty in Comparative Literature, South Asian Studies, and Women's Studies, and her courses are regularly cross-listed with these programs.

Many of her works - such as Colonialism / Postcolonialism (1998) and Shakespeare, Race and Colonialism (2002) - engage with Shakespeare and the Renaissance Theater. Her research on the history of racism since the early modern era includes work on England's early contacts with India, the Moluccas and Turkey.

Reviews

[J A · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Goodreads' scale falls apart when you encounter a book that you admire, but which you didn't 'like' a great deal. This is one of those books; I found it an excellent critical introduction to postcolonialism, but rather a hefty read.

Divided into only three chapters, Loomba offers an analysis of the history and development of colonialism, the establishment of colonial identities, and challenges to colonialism -- including a conclusion that responds to recent historical developments roughly after the invasion of Iraq in 2003. The lack of major division leaves her able to dive into each topic with considerable depth, with room to draw in the major critical voices in this area and have them engage in broad arguments; it also has the effect of making the book occasionally difficult to orientate oneself within, and to get 'above' the discussion. Frequently, the arguments turn around on each other, so that a discussion about something is critiqued, which is itself the subject of criticism and then new insights are brought in etc. This is perhaps the only way that Loomba can tackle an unwieldy topic like this, whilst also ensuring none of the systematic biases and prejudices that can so easily creep in, but it's also taxing. Nevetheless, I feel after having read this a much greater understanding of the topic, which is perhaps the only criterion by which an Introduction text can be judged.

[Amal · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the information presented in Loomba's introduction to Colonialiam and Postcolonialism was interesting, I thought that the organization was really lacking for a multi-published academic work. From an editorial perspective, there were typos and misused punctuation.

Content-wise, Loomba presented a lot of ideas that had no follow-through and I also felt like she brought some excellent, easy to understand ideas for someone new to Postcolonial studies - if only she had pursued them.

For an introduction text, I wonder if there aren't better ones out there.

[Suhaib · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those tasteless theoretical books about postcolonialism that tries to summarize the tenor of the field with a view on future developments (the environment and globalization, and so on). The writing is just too academic and abstract, and could have definitely benefited from adding some color. However, despite the density and breadth, which in itself precludes any profound and useful engagement with the scholarly material, I think this book can be useful, especially for upper-level undergraduate students. In short, this is a decent albeit boring summary of postcolonial theory.

[Fawad Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think it's a great introduction to all the questions related to colonialism/post-colonialism. However, I did find some of the portion of the book difficult to grasp because I am not familiar with certain terms like post-structuralism (although, thanks to this book, I want to find out more about it) and therefore all the discussions related to them went over my head. Still, it did make a lot of things very clear for a layman like me. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the subject.

[R · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to read this crappy book before a test at my university. If you like me don't have to read it for a test, STAY AWAY FROM THIS CRAPPY BOOK that does not make any sence! And I hate my UNI for making me read shitty books like this one!

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best introductions I've read. Extremely well written. Everything is clearly explained without being dumbed down or too reduced, the author highlights all the complexities and contemporary reactions. Definitely a book to keep.

[Talrubei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely useful as an introduction to the field.

[Elise Dahlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boken marknadsförs just som ett verk gällande postkolonial teori som inte är ”deprimerande svår”. Tyvärr, så är den just det. Besviken.

[أسرا · Rating 4 out of 5]

الكتاب ممتاز اجمالاً، لكن الترجمة العربية منه سيئه جدًا كما لو انك تقرأ ترجمة جوجل ما يفسد المعنى، لهذا لم اكمله

[Lucy Jinola Princess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a lot of pages on this book but never finished reading it and i know its not fair to just put 5 stars after that but im confident in this.
I really like this book and it made me want to read other books like this and so other works of Ania Loomba.
I started reading it after finding it on the school library, I have already know/ had an idea on what Colonialism was and was interested in finding more and thru the book i was able to learn more deeply about Colonialism and Post-Colonialism.
The only downside to it is that its really hard to understand especially if your a beginner trying to study/ get to know more of the topic or like me, is fluent but never fluent enough in English to understand the complex wordings.
It is still interesting and it teach me some English words I’d never knew existed before lol.
Im still pretty sad i didn’t got to finish the book after all, i have borrowed the book a few times and had become attach to it.
I would definitely buy the physical book, if i had the money but im just a teenager living this world lol.

[علاء حسام هلال]

اظن ان هذا الكتاب عباره عن مقدمة شامله و مكثفة في موضوع الدراسات الكولونياليه و ما بعدها ... لكني اظن ايضا ان الترجمة لم تكن موفقة مما يجعل القراءة تفقد تدفقها احيانا كثيرة ، و للعلم ، فإن هناك ترجمة اخرى للكتاب تبدو لي افضل ،، و لكنها لا تحتوي على آخر فصول الكتاب عن العولمه مستقبل الدراسات ما بعد الكولونياليه... بالرغم من ذلك يبقى الكتاب مهما و مفيدا جدا في بابه ... غني بالمواضيع ز المراجع التي تتعلق بموضوعه ، بدون تطويل ممل ، و بدون اختصار مخل كما يبدو لي ... و باعتقادي فإن اي مثقف خاصة في بلادنا المبتلاة بالهيمنة الإمبريالية، لا غنى له عن هذا الكتاب ... و الله اعلم

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Edward Said as an introduction to Postcolonial theory, this is the perfect book to put Said and other theorists in context. Loomba summarizes various theories and criticisms of those theories. I must have underlined and marked half the book. Dense, but readable, and for my research, indispensable.

[Yasmin Riane · Rating 3 out of 5]

incredible writing and offers a broad scope on a range of colonial and post colonial experiences around the world and around different times

sometimes Loomba’s writing becomes a bit too overgeneralised and obvious but other than that a great read and a scornful indictment on colonialism and the West

[Daniel Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't say I truly enjoyed this book. It was great. I learned loads and loads. I even enjoyed the things I learned. But it was a difficult book to read. Theory always is difficult and it makes my head hurt.

[Pol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't remember much of it, but I do remember it as being a particularly dry introduction, if a pretty decent one.

[Sofia Nano]

very good book

[Casarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent text, wish I had read it in full during my undergrad. Essential read.

[Keith Armando · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much needed if setting out to understand the definite position of colonisation in the global timeline

[eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really great for those looking to gain more insight on the very large world of postcolonial studies.

[Angélica · Rating 4 out of 5]

*read about 70% of the book for my gws 301: feminist theories class.

[Roshni Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book, pretty heavy reading. Touches upon a lot of interesting points but doesn't delve too deep into them.

[KlektoFlakto · Rating 5 out of 5]

top

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for school

[saturno · Rating 3 out of 5]

the fact that loomba said this was gonna be easy to read lowkey set up the wrong sort of expectations for me

[Adiatma Sukwirahmanta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Leftist mumbo jumbo

[Aaranie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so over white ppl istg

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

this legit could’ve been max 70 pages

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a valuable text that breaks down the complexities and storied history within the field of post-colonial criticism and study. Loomba does a good job of presenting as many different viewpoints as possible to track the evolution of the field, while also illustrating that many ideas are not 'one size fits all' solutions to fighting against colonial and neo-colonial oppression. Obviously because this is such a complicated field, this text is DENSE and seemingly unorganized as a result. However, I think Loomba's purpose is not to provide a succinct, contemporary view of post-colonial studies (as many reviewers seem to want), but to outline and critique as many of the contradictions that exist within the field, in the interest of encouraging readers to look at the world around them from a critical perspective.

[Brigi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm probably not smart enough for this book, but I thought it was an awful read.

First of all, the structure of this book is one of the worst things I've ever seen. Not only does it have only three chapters, but the author often jumped from one subject to another, and I honestly lost the plot over and over again. Not even mentioning the kilometric paragraphs. I gave up when I had 60 pages left.

I'm not saying there weren't interesting things, but very few and far between. So according to GR's rating system, this gets 1 star from me for I did not like it.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super-interesting introduction to the academic discipline of postcolonial studies. The book problematises and pin points the upsides as well as downsides of ’the colonial experience’; how to understand postcolonial feminism; nationalism as a postcolonial phenomenon of resistance...amongst other concepts and theories.