ABSTRACT

In recent decades, there has been a substantial turn towards narrative and life history study. The embrace of narrative and life history work has accompanied the move to postmodernism and post-structuralism across a wide range of disciplines: sociological studies, gender studies, cultural studies, social history; literary theory; and, most recently, psychology.

Written by leading international scholars from the main contributing perspectives and disciplines, The Routledge International Handbook on Narrative and Life History seeks to capture the range and scope as well as the considerable complexity of the field of narrative study and life history work by situating these fields of study within the historical and contemporary context. Topics covered include:

• The historical emergences of life history and narrative study

• Techniques for conducting life history and narrative study

• Identity and politics

• Generational history

• Social and psycho-social approaches to narrative history

With chapters from expert contributors, this volume will prove a comprehensive and authoritative resource to students, researchers and educators interested in narrative theory, analysis and interpretation.

part |2 pages

PART I Life histories and narratives

chapter 1|12 pages

The rise of the life narrative

chapter 2|11 pages

The story of life history

chapter 8|14 pages

Always a story

part |2 pages

PART II Methodological and sociological approaches

chapter 17|12 pages

Working-life stories

part |2 pages

PART III Political narratives and the study of lives

part |2 pages

PART IV Ethical approaches

chapter 41|14 pages

Ethics and the tyranny of narrative

chapter 47|13 pages

Narrative ethics