CALL HIM ISMAIL: A Postcolonial Critique of Ismail Kadare

This book analyzes selected works of Ismail Kadare and his presence in Albanian literature from a post-colonial theoretical perspective focusing on this author’s best known novels, studies and poems. Kadare’s books are not only appreciable literary works. At the same time, with his work Kadare attempted to criticize and condemn the dictatorship dominant in his country –Albania. After the fall of communism Kadare’s work focused especially on the establishment of Albanian identity. Kadare makes use of Albanian ballads, myths, as well as the history of his country, first in order to contradict the totalitarian regime and later to demonstrate the European identity of Albanians. Kadare’s postmodernist style, controversial plots, and ‘emigration in time’ demonstrate his in-betweenness, and the way he ‘orientalizes’ the East to achieve his scope in demonstrating the Western identity of Albanians. From this standpoint, Kadare’s work points to the marginalization of Albanians, as well. The research of Ismail Kadare’s work sheds light to the situation of the multicultural Balkan Peninsula, during the second half of the 20th century and the beginning of the new millennium.