"... a hot subject in today’s scholarship... and a groundbreaking project of vital significance to the field of cultural studies at both ‘western’ and ‘eastern’ geographical locations." —Elwira GrossmanOver the Wall/After the Fall maps a new discourse on the evolution of cultural life in Eastern Europe following the end of communism. Departing from traditional binary views of East/West, the contributors to this volume consider the countries and the peoples of the region on their own terms. Drawing on insights from cultural studies, gender theory, and postcolonial studies, this lively collection addresses gender issues and sexual politics, consumerism, high and popular culture, architecture, media, art, and theater. Among the themes of the essays are the Western pop success of Bulgarian folk choirs, the Czechs’ reception of Frank Gehry’s unconventional building in the center of Prague, bohemians in Lviv, and cryptographic art installations from Bratislava.

Product Description: From witch trials to pickaxe murderers, from brothels to convents, and from slavery to Toni Morrison's Paradise, these essays provide fascinating and provocative insights into our sexual and religious conventions and beliefs. (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

Product Description: This volume brings together international scholars of American Studies whose work explores the issues of ethnicity, race, gender, national, and cross-cultural identity in American literature and culture. The ramifications of this discussion go far beyond the borders of North America; in our era of European consolidation and global communications, even the seemingly most homogeneous of national literatures find themselves at last responding to and acknowledging external cultural influences...read more

Product Description: Until now, the East European canon in American literature has been dominated by male dissident figures such as Brodsky, Milosz, and Kundera. Magdalena Zaborowska challenges that canon by demonstrating the contributions of lesser-known immigrant and expatriate women writers from Poland and Russia: Mary Antin, Anzia Yezierska, Elizabeth Stern, Maria Kuncewicz, and Eva Hoffman...read more