Contemporary Fictions of Multiculturalism

Michael Perfect is an Assistant Professor of English Literature at Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey. His main research and teaching interests are in twentieth- and twenty-first century literature and culture. He has published journal articles and book chapters on contemporary British literature and postcolonial studies and has taught at the University of Cambridge - where he obtained his PhD in 2011 - as well as in London.

"Perfect's readings reveal shifting attitudes towards London's multiculturalism and the importance of literature in reflecting and shaping an evolving discourse. ... Perfect makes a valuable contribution to the mapping of a body of literature. The strengths of this work undoubtedly lie in its sensitive readings and comprehensive analysis of some key novels of the 21st century and it will inevitably prove to be a useful resource for students of contemporary British literature." (Sarah Ilott, Journal of Postcolonial Writing, December, 2015)

• Introduction: Backgrounds: Facts and Fictions of Multicultural London 1. Multiculturalism and the Work of Hanif Kureishi 2. 'Fold the paper and pass it on': Andrea Levy's London Fiction 3. Multicultural London in Zadie Smith's White Teeth : a Celebration of Unpredictability and Uncertainty? 4. Permanence and Transience: Monica Ali's Brick Lane (2003) and In The Kitchen (2009) 5. Mis-marketing Multiculturalism? Gautam Malkani's Londonstani (2006) 6. London as a Safe Haven? Asylum, Immigration and Missing Fingers in Chris Cleave's The Other Hand (2008) and Brian Chikwava's Harare North (2009) 7. London as a 'Brutal', 'Hutious' City: Stephen Kelman's Pigeon English (2011) 8. Coda: The Prophet's Graveyard Notes Bibliography Index