The Work of Literature in the Age of the Refugee.

This article discusses the intersection of refugee studies and literary studies, suggesting that the study of refugees can bring new perspectives to transnational American studies. It emphasizes the rise of a literary realm of refugee studies that focuses on pain, suffering, testimony, empathy, and storytelling. The article examines three recent studies that shed light on forgotten violence during the Cold War and US militarism, while advocating for the representation of refugees themselves. It also questions the power of storytelling in addressing current crises and calls for a deeper analysis of empathic identification and historical recovery. The text discusses two books that explore refugee aesthetics and the representation of refugees in literature, but raises criticisms about their historical grounding and focus on certain conflicts. It calls for a more nuanced understanding of the refugee experience in the context of global crises and the impact of US imperialism. [Extracted from the article]