Citation

Lamanna MA. Int. Rev. Sociol. (London) 2018; 28(2): 336-353.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/03906701.2017.1421027

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article explores the political role of literature through the medium of three novels of terrorism: Francesca Marciano's Casa Rossa, Nicholas Shakespeare's The Dancer Upstairs and Ann Patchett's Bel Canto. The literary features of these novels, set in the Italy of the Red Brigades and the Peru of Shining Path and Tupac Amaru, foster a political perspective that is a de facto endorsement of the status quo in each society. They hinder a comprehensive understanding of the underpinnings of terrorism that is essential to the formation of counterterrorism strategies.

Language: en

Keywords

cultural sociology; literary theory; Red Brigades; Shining Path; Terrorism