Global Networks and Local Realities of Fantasy World Literature - Inaugural-Dissertation

Aug 25, 2026

'For me, fantasy is the most accurate way of describing reality' frames this inaugural dissertation on modern fantasy literature. The study asks whether fantasy novels can be treated as world literature and how Western narrative structures are mirrored or challenged by contemporary authors. World-literature and genre-literature concepts are examined through their intersections, followed by a narrowed definition of fantasy. Four chapters provide case studies using authors such as Nnedi Okorafor, Marlon James, Indrapramit Das, and Lian Hearn. The thesis argues for recognizing fantasy as world literature and granting it greater attention in literary studies.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages296

Reading Time12 h 26 min

AccessFree to download

1. Introduction

2. Beyond Genre Limitations and National Borders – World Literature

2.1. Travelling Texts – World Literature and Global Networks

2.2. “Indescribable, though not imperceptible” – An Organic and Fuzzy Genre

“For me, fantasy is the most accurate way of describing reality”1 – Global Networks and Local Realities of Fantasy World Literature Inaugural-Dissertation zur Erlangung des Doktorgrades der Philosophie (Dr. phil.) durch die Philosophische Fakultät der Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf vorgelegt von BETTINA CHARLOTTE BURGER aus SAARLOUIS Betreuerin: Prof. Dr. Birgit Neumann Düsseldorf Oktober 2021 1 Okorafor 2009, 279. D 61 To my mother who has supported me through the highest flights of fancy and the deepest caverns of Moria. To my father who discovered The Tales of the Otori when he read it to me and whom I miss every day. Acknowledgements First and foremost, I would like to thank my supervisor, Professor Dr. Birgit Neumann for her invaluable advice and feedback throughout the years I have been working on my project. I am especially grateful for the many discussions about the complex relationship between fantasy literature and postcolonial studies and about the need to question preconceived notions of fantasy literature. I would also like to thank my secondary supervisor, Professor Dr. Marion Gymnich, whose expertise in fantasy literature helped me expand my own perspectives and who was always happy to meet with me, be it in person or online. Our discussions about fantasy literature’s blurry boundaries, various degrees of magic, authors like Nnedi Okorafor and Marlon James helped me in sorting through my thoughts and get to the heart of the matter more than once. I would also like to express my deepest appreciation to the members of the committee at my defense for allowing me to present my 􀏐indings in a supportive and interested atmosphere and for enabling a lively and intriguing discussion that has helped me to develop my research even further. Additionally, I would be remiss if I did not mention the personal and professional guidance I received from my senior colleagues and friends, Dr. Ulrike Pirker and Dr. Katrin Althans, who were available for thought-provoking discussions over a coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Likewise, the support of my colleagues throughout the years has been essential in helping me succeed, which is why I would like to extend my special thanks to Dr. Yvonne Liebermann, Judith Rahn, Christina Slopek, Newsha Beiza, and Miriam Hinz. Lucas Mattila, Tiana Matanovic, Jill Bomanns, Anika Klose and Theo Charalambous deserve special thanks for not only providing feedback on my writing and support for the Australian speculative 􀏐iction project that sprung up during my writing process, but also worthy company in hour-long queues for ramen. Of course, my work would have been in􀏐initely harder without the ongoing help of the various student assistants that have supported the Anglophone Literatures and Literary Translation department over the years. Outside of my own university and 􀏐ield of expertise, the ongoing support and understanding of my friends have been invaluable. They have put up with me rambling about Indian (and Norse) werewolves, magical hyenas and the liminal in fantasy literature for years and still haven’t given up on me, occasionally providing historical and medical insights from their own professions – and, of course, proofreading skills. Last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank my family for believing in my ability to write this dissertation and their ongoing love and support during many late-night writing sessions and bouts of slight despair. Abstract 'For me, fantasy is the most accurate way of describing reality' -Global Networksand Local Realities of Fantasy World Literature Author: Bettina Charlotte Burger This thesis deals with modern fantasy literature and addresses the question whether fantasy novels should be considered world literature and to what extent Western narrative structures are re􀏐lected or questioned by contemporary fantasy authors. To achieve this, the concepts of world literature and genre literature will be

FAQs

What core question does the dissertation address about fantasy novels?

It examines whether fantasy novels should be considered world literature and to what extent they reflect or question Western narrative structures.

How does the thesis define and narrow down the term “fantasy”?

It uses insights from literary scholars to narrow “fantasy” and discusses potential conflicts between reality and fantasy shaped by cultural interplay.

Which case studies are used to support the argument about fantasy as world literature?

The four chapters draw on novels by Nnedi Okorafor, Marlon James, Indrapramit Das (The Devourers), and Lian Hearn (Tales of the Otori), including comparable Japanese-inspired fantasy.

Aug 25, 2026

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