Characters who are impostors fascinate us as masters of disguise. Whether in literature, film or real life, they present themselves with consummate skill and expose the superficiality of a society that allows itself to be dazzled by appearances. They challenge social boundaries and embody a subversive spirit that reflects a desire to break free. Yet what is admired poetically is often a criminal offence in reality and has destructive consequences for those who have been deceived. This volume examines imposture as a contemporary cultural practice. What social, cultural and media conditions foster imposture? And what does it mean for the construction of identity in the modern age when the boundaries between reality and appearance become blurred? Building on previous research discussions, the contributions from the fields of literary studies and literary pedagogy bring together answers to these questions. Furthermore, they shed light on the close connection between fiction, deception and self-presentation.

This book is included in DOAB.