This article focuses on urban/political/linguistic transformations in transitional and post-apartheid Johannesburg, as they emerge in two novels by the South African writer Ivan Vladislavić: The Folly (1993) and The Exploded View (2004). Analysing the connections between architecture and writing in these texts, this article shows how Vladislavić’s metaphorical narrative offers fresh insights into old questions such as the relationship between engagement and literature in South Africa.
Questo articolo indaga alcune trasformazioni urbane/politiche/linguistiche nella Johannesburg della transizione e del dopo-apartheid in due romanzi del sudafricano Ivan Vladislavić, The Folly (1993) e The Exploded View (2004). Analizzando la relazione tra architettura e scrittura nei due testi, l’articolo mostra come la narrativa metaforica di Vladislavić offra un nuovo sguardo su vecchie questioni come quella del rapporto tra impegno e letteratura nel paese.
Guarducci, M.P. (2022). Architetture di senso: spazio e testo in Ivan Vladislavić. SIGMA, 6, 234-250.
Architetture di senso: spazio e testo in Ivan Vladislavić
Maria Paola Guarducci
2022-01-01
Abstract
This article focuses on urban/political/linguistic transformations in transitional and post-apartheid Johannesburg, as they emerge in two novels by the South African writer Ivan Vladislavić: The Folly (1993) and The Exploded View (2004). Analysing the connections between architecture and writing in these texts, this article shows how Vladislavić’s metaphorical narrative offers fresh insights into old questions such as the relationship between engagement and literature in South Africa.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.