Review of: Jochen Grywatsch (Hg.): Raum.Ort. Topographien der Annette von Droste-Hülshoff. Hannover: Wehrhahn Verlag 2009.

Abstract

Since the so-called spatial turn, space has become a central category also for literary and cultural studies. This ‘paradigm shift’ corresponds to the volume at hand, which asks new questions of the work of Droste-Hülshoff, itself rich in spatial descriptions. The volume contains a thematic introduction and a theoretical overview of spatial conceptions as well as twelve contributions approaching such questions as the poetology of space, spatial conceptions, and their functions in text. The volume convincingly proves the relevance of these questions for Droste research. At the same time, however, it does not adequately discuss theoretical reflections. The most important and often sole reference is Michel Foucault’s term “heterotopology,” despite, or perhaps because of, this concept’s inconsistencies.