Review of Commonwealth Literature, edited by John Press, and The Journal of Commonwealth Literature, edited by Arthur Ravenscroft

Abstract

In speaking up for the merits of Commonwealth literature as a new field of study its proponents, as those of virtually any rising subject, need to beware of overstating their case. By and large, the writers represented in these two items have so guarded themselves. There is not much special pleading to be noted; if anything, the main set of the interpretations is in the opposite quarter, as for instance in the several articles on India-Pakistan, or some of the remarks on Canada. The 'Report and Recommendations' at the end of Mr Press's volume should be required reading in all English departments; they offer after their fashion a well-modulated manifesto calling upon English departments, libraries, publishers, governmental agencies (including those responsible for mass communications), and others to give more adequate attention and official support to the study of Commonwealth literature.