21st-Century Crime Fiction: When Is It Just Dark and When Is It Noir (Panel at NeMLA)

Marla Harris Announcement
Location
Maryland, United States
Subject Fields
Cultural History / Studies, Literature, Popular Culture Studies

The term "noir" has enjoyed periodic revivals over the past fifty years. However, in the aftermath of the popularity of early 21st-century Scandinavian crime fiction, dubbed Nordic Noir, the use of noir as a crime fiction label has dramatically increased. The fact that the New York-based Akashic Books has published over 90 collections of noir-themed short stories since 2004 testifies to the sub-genre's undeniable appeal to contemporary readers. In response to the phenomenon of Haitian Noir, Caroline Villalba has asked "Why Noir, Why Now?" I suggest that we can usefully broaden the scope of those questions beyond Haitian texts.  From Celtic Noir to Mediterranean Noir, it seems as if every nation, region, and city is laying claim to its own distinctive version.  This panel seeks to examine the range of crime fiction labeled as noir, inviting papers that explore specific works, as well as those that take a broader perspective to consider possible significant differences among local, regional, and national variants.  To what extent do these fictions challenge or extend earlier cultural meanings to become a means of serious social and political critique? In its focus on place, on local color, especially its foregrounding of perceived exoticism and otherness, how is 21st century noir implicated in literary tourism? What roles do readers, writers, critics, and publishers play in creating a market for noir? Finally, in light of its proliferation, is it still a useful category? At what point is it in danger of becoming a cliche rather than an energizing factor in literature?

Starting on June 15, 2016, please submit abstract proposals (300 words) through NeMLA's online system: https://www.cfplist.com/nemla/Home/S/16103 (https://www.buffalo.edu/nemla/convention/submit.html). Decision emails will be sent by October 15, 2016. NeMLA asks that accepted and confirmed panelists pay their membership/registration fees by December 1, 2016 in order to present at the 2017 convention in Baltimore, Maryland.

Contact Information

Marla Harris

Contact Email
mhcrocombe@gmail.com