Édouard Glissant (1928–2011) was a leading voice in debates centering on the postcolonial condition and on the present and future of globalization. Prolific as both a theorist and a literary author, Glissant started his career as a contemporary of Frantz Fanon in the early days of Francophone postcolonial thought. In the latter part of his career Glissant’s vision pushed beyond the boundaries of postcolonialism to encompass the contemporary phenomenon of globalisation. Glissant is widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in Caribbean thought and cultural commentary, and Francophone literature.
Patrick Chamoiseau was born in Fort-de-France, Martinique. After studying law at universities in Martinique and Paris, he became a social worker. Although he is principally known for his novels, Chamoiseau has ranged broadly into other genres. He has written autobiographical narratives, assembled a collection of folktales, and been at the forefront of the theoretical debates surrounding créolité, or creoleness. He has also written for the theater, contributed to discussions on contemporary Martinican and Caribbean politics, and collaborated on several photographic essays. A significant number of his fiction and nonfiction works have been translated into other languages.
