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This book is the fruit of the labor of many people who helped me turn over and plow through the rich soil of irony and transcultural invention on two continents. In both the U.S. and Tunisia, many colleagues offered steadfast support for work in postcolonial studies. Joseph Krause, chair of Foreign Languages and Literatures, and Tracy Daugherty, chair of English, have supported comparative literature through thin times. Tracy read the entire manuscript of a very early version as did Alan Thomas of University of Chicago Press. Jack Van de Water and Chris Sproul from International Programs visited me in Tunisia to encourage my research, and provided continuous support in more than one way; Lisa Ede, Betty Campbell, Anita Helle, Vicki Tolar Burton, Jennifer Cornell, Tina Carnegie, Marjorie Sandor, and Heidi Brayman -Hackel shared their critical acumen; Chris Anderson read an early version of a chapter; Richmond Barbour discussed with me our common interest ; Rich Daniels and Bob Wess provided political commentary. The late Jim Draper, a dear friend sorely missed, was a model of engaged activism. I acknowledge the financial support from Fulbright and the American Institute for Maghreb Studies (AIMS) to conduct field research in North Africa. Oregon State University supported me through various research awards. David Robinson and Wendy Madar at the Center for the Humanities provided a wonderful place to work. In Tunisia, among the many colleagues whose insights have enriched my life, I would like to thank especially Monia and Leila Hejaiej, Khadija Arfaoui and Samira Mechri, as well as Jim Miller, director of the Centre d’études maghrébines à Tunis (CEMAT). Many of the ideas that went into shaping this book came not from academia, but from my extended family and friends from southern Tunisia. Their expertise at irony, mastery of Joha stories, and commentary on global politics were invaluable. My own experts of irony, at home with me on both continents, are precious and their insights run throughout this book; it is with love and gratitude that I thank Karim, Rob, and John, my fellow travelers. ix Acknowledgments ...

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