Exeter College Fellow publishes new book exploring the political power of Caribbean women’s rage

Dr Nicole King, Peter Thompson Fellow and Tutor in English at Exeter College and Associate Professor of American Literature, has published her latest book, Rage in Caribbean Women’s Writing, with Cambridge University Press.  

Co-authored with Dr Ana Nenadović, Rage in Caribbean Women’s Writing examines how feminist solidarity and expressions of rage are represented in two contemporary Caribbean novels: Bruised Hibiscus (2000) by Elizabeth Nunez and Negra (2013) by Wendy Guerra. The authors explore how Caribbean women’s rage functions not simply as an emotional response, but as a powerful political tool for resisting racism, gender-based violence and the policing of women’s sexuality. 

Drawing on close readings of the novels, the book argues that although the protagonists express their anger in different ways, both use rage to challenge injustice and assert their agency. By placing Caribbean women’s experiences at the centre of contemporary feminist thought, the study offers a fresh perspective on the relationship between emotion, resistance, and social change. 

Published as part of Cambridge University Press’s Elements series, the book provides an accessible introduction to current debates in literary studies, feminist theory, and Caribbean literature. It will be of interest to students, researchers, and anyone curious about how literature engages with questions of power, identity, and collective action. 

Rage in Caribbean Women’s Writing is available to read online and can be downloaded free of charge from Cambridge University Press until 21 July. After this date, it will remain available through Cambridge Core and can be purchased from Blackwells and other booksellers.