Unveiling the Unseen: Haunting Histories and Cultural Dynamics in Jessica Faleiro’s Afterlife: Ghost Stories from Goa

Abstract

Jessica Faleiro’s Afterlife: Ghost Stories from Goa offers a compelling exploration of haunting histories and cultural dynamics within the Lusophone world. Through a close examination of the ghost stories portrayed in her book, this article explores how Faleiro navigates themes of historical reparation and reparative justice within the context of Goa’s colonial past and postcolonial present. I intend to show how Faleiro employs Gothic narrative techniques to illuminate the ongoing effects of colonialism, explore themes of historical trauma and cultural identity, and contribute to the broader decolonial discourse in Indian postcolonial literature. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives, this article situates Faleiro’s work within the broader framework of Lusophone literary and cultural production, shedding light on the unseen forces that shape the heritage of the Portuguese-speaking world.