Shifting the Compass

While the inclusion of a hybrid perspective to highlight local dynamics has become increasingly common in the analysis of both colonial and postcolonial literature, the dominant intercontinental connection in the analysis of this literature has remained with the (former) motherland.

"[Shifting the Compass] offers interesting readings and ideas. The most promising contributions are those presenting new writers and themes. And certainly, the complex experiences of Adriaan van Dis make the reader enthusiastic to learn more about his work."—Ineke Phaf-Rheinberger, Humboldt University; New West Indian Guide 88 ¾ 2014

Jeroen Dewulf is Queen Beatrix Professor in Dutch Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. In his research, he focuses primarily on Dutch Studies, German Studies and Postcolonial Studies. He publishes in five different languages (English, Dutch, German, Portuguese and French). His most recent book is Spirit of Resistance: Dutch Clandestine Literature during the Nazi Occupation (2010). He was distinguished, in 2010, by the Hellman Family Faculty Fund as one of the "Best of Berkeley Researchers" and in 2012, he won the Robert O. Collins Award in African Studies and the American Cultures Innovation in Teaching Award.Michiel van Kempen is a Professor by Special Appointment in West-Indian Literature at the University of Amsterdam. He wrote an extensive history of Surinamese literature, Een geschiedenis van de Surinaamse literatuur (2003) and is editor of numerous anthologies on Surinamese and Dutch-Antillean literature: Nieuwe Surinaamse verhalen (1986), Spiegel van de Surinaamse poëzie (1995), Mama Sranan: twee eeuwen Surinaamse verhaalkunst (1999) and Noordoostpassanten: 400 jaar Nederlandse verhaalkunst over Suriname, de Nederlandse Antillen en Aruba (with Wim Rutgers, 2005). He is co-editor of two collections of essays: Tussenfiguren in de literatuur (1998) and Wandelaar onder de palmen. Verkenningen in de koloniale en postkoloniale literatuur en cultuur (2004). He was awarded the 2004 Dutch-Belgian ANV-Visser Neerlandiaprijs and has been knighted twice.Olf Praamstra is Associate Professor by Special Appointment in Dutch Literature in Contact with Other Cultures, and Head of the Department of Dutch Studies at Leiden University. His research focuses on the reception and development of Dutch literature in contact with other cultures. His publications include Een feministe in de tropen, de Indische jaren van Mina Kruseman (2003), Busken Huet, een biografie (2007), Heerengracht, Zuid-Afrika (with Eep Francken, 2008), Omstreden paradijs, ooggetuigen van Nederlands-Indië (with Peter van Zonneveld, 2010).