Dr. Alison James

Biography

Alison James is a Professor of French Literature at the University of Chicago, where she specializes in twentieth and twenty-first century literature. Her research focuses on the representation of everyday life and the interplay of chance and contingency within literary forms. James has published significant works, including "Constraining Chance: Georges Perec Oulipo" and "Documentary Imagination in Twentieth-Century French Literature," which examine the innovations of major French authors like Gide, Aragon, and Yourcenar. Her work often explores the boundaries between fiction and reality, documenting how literature can represent factual events while engaging with fictional narratives. An active contributor to academic discourse, she co-edits volumes that address complex themes around fiction and belief. Her teaching encompasses a strong interdisciplinary approach, linking literature with visual arts and cinema, as reflected in her courses on literary avant-garde and realism. Throughout her career, James has received acclaim for her contributions to literary theory and practice, integrating contemporary literary trends with historical perspectives.

Research Interests