
This article argues that Mediterranean crime fiction is not simply a subgenre that showcases criminal organisations and beautiful landscapes, but also a formulation that overcomes the exclusionary European borders, and makes the “parent” label Euronoir more inclusive. In order to prove this point, this article analyses Andrea Camilleri’s Il ladro di merendine (1996) and Jean Claude Izzo’s Total Khéops (1996) through the lens of transculturality (Welsch) and the idea of “third space” (Bhabha). It shows how, with their reference to a common Mediterranean culture and history, these novels shape transcultural spaces where human beings coexist and adapt to each other. Both novels make use of the concept of “homecoming” as a counter-narrative for the present anti-immigration rhetoric, and represent the Mediterranean as a Mare Nostrum which, according to Paolo Rumiz’s formulation, is a space shared by those who inhabit it, where inhabiting does not necessarily coincide with belonging or possession1. In doing so, Il ladro di merendine and Total Khéops represent Mediterranean cities as places where the encounter supersides conflict, overcoming the exclusionary mechanisms of the nation-state.
genres, Italian literature, Communication. Mass media, detective fiction, French literature, Mediterranean literature, P87-96
genres, Italian literature, Communication. Mass media, detective fiction, French literature, Mediterranean literature, P87-96
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 3 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
