Narrative Projections of a Black British History - Eva Ulrike Pirker

(Routledge), 2011

322pp., £80 hard, ISBN 978-0-415-89375-6

Since the mid-1990s, the black experience in Britain has begun to be intensely renegotiated, with a particular emphasis on history. Narrative Projections of a Black British History considers narratives that construct or engage with aspects of a black British history. Part I poses the question of what sort of narratives have emerged from, and in turn determine how we perceive key events and developments such as the seminal ‘Windrush' moment and provides basic insights into theoretical frameworks. It also offers a large number of comparative readings, considering ‘factual' and ‘fictional' forms of representation such as history books, documentary films, life writing, novels and drama and identifies ‘official' narratives and counter-currents. Part II provides close readings and analyses of a selection of narratives that can be regarded as reactions against the 'established' historical culture. Overall, the book draws attention to collective currents and individual positions, affirmative and critical approaches. Together, they constitute a valuable reflection on the current debate about a black British history.  Originating as a doctoral thesis, this innovative study is a valuable discussion of the ways our understanding of black history has changed in the past two decades.