A. Abassi, Tunisian Francophone Spaces or the Hand of Fatima - Francophone and Oral Literatures

French Literature Reviews - 2026

A. Abassi, Tunisian Francophone Spaces or the Hand of Fatima
Francophone and Oral Literatures

A. Abassi, Tunisian Francophone Spaces or the Hand of Fatima

Paris: L'Harmattan, Mediterranean History and Perspectives series,

  • 20.00 € (digital version: 15.00 €)
  • EAN 13: 9782296555136

Publisher's Description:

How do French-language literature and Francophone culture, arising from the colonial legacy, often serve—much like the Hand of Fatima—as an alibi for certain misunderstandings, whether intentional or not? How can one be and remain a Tunisian Francophone unapologetically, without renouncing one's Arabophone culture? Womanhood, otherness, writing, hybridity, and Francophonie are said to be the five fingers of an emerging Tunisian French-language literature and a Francophone culture which, while seemingly flourishing, actually suffer from numerous misunderstandings.

In 2006, Ali Abassi published Tunisian Literatures with L'Harmattan.

This study situates itself within the rich field of postcolonial Maghrebi literature, specifically focusing on the complex cultural landscape of Tunisia. By examining the legacy of French colonial rule, the work addresses how Francophonie—the use of the French language—coexists with a deeply rooted Arabophone culture. Abassi employs the traditional symbol of the Hand of Fatima as a structural metaphor. Its five fingers represent the core themes of womanhood, otherness, writing, hybridity, and Francophonie, illustrating how these elements interlock to define a modern, yet frequently misunderstood, Tunisian literary identity.

By analyzing these intersections, the book helps readers understand how writers navigate bilingualism and biculturalism without sacrificing their native heritage. It addresses crucial questions about cultural ownership, the reclaiming of a colonial language, and the persistent misunderstandings that arise between Western and Arab-Islamic intellectual spheres. Building on the author's previous work, Tunisian Literatures, this volume is an essential resource for scholars and students of Francophone studies, postcolonial theory, and North African cultural history seeking a nuanced perspective on contemporary Maghrebi writing.