French Connections

Department of French and Francophone Studies Research Seminar Series

A Pulizziesca: genesis of Corsican crime fiction

Dr Clara Sitbon, University of Sydney

Abstract

Regional crime fiction has gained traction and popularity in Europe, both in academic circles and with the wider pubic. There is one exception to this rule, however: Corsican crime fiction. Embedded in a multitude of particular editorial, literary, cultural, and linguistic dynamics pertaining to Corsica itself, Corsican crime fiction raises important questions relating to the future of a regional literature that is inscribed in a national and international literary canon. This presentation proposes a genesis of Corsican crime fiction, through a recontextualization within the literary history of the island, and within the broader generic canon of crime fiction. It will also explore how serialisation, which is a typical mechanism of crime fiction, paired with authenticity, and multilingualism, allow Corsican crime fiction to redefine generic codes and pave the way for a new, more inclusive, crime fiction.

About the speaker

Dr Clara Sitbon is a Lecturer in the Department of French and Francophone Studies at the University of Sydney. Her research focuses on literary fakes, forgeries and hoaxes, and manifestations of multi-authorship. A specialist of Boris Vian and Vernon Sullivan, she is currently working with Digital Humanities methods to examine the literary fingerprints of authors and their fictitious alter-egos. Her research in hoaxes led to extensive work on crime fiction, which itself took her back to her homeland of Corsican to investigate the peculiarities of Corsican Crime fiction. This presentation is linked to a project in which she investigated the power of multilingualism in Corsican crime fiction.

For more information, contact: Dr Nathalie Ségeral – nathalie.segeral@sydney.edu.au

Note:

Visitors who are not University staff and students will be required to scan a QR code upon entry to the Brennan MacCallum Building. Read the University’s advice on staying COVID-safe on campus.

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