Introduction

For about a decade, nostalgia has been enjoying heightened attention across the humanities to the extent that some scholars speak of “nostalgia studies” as a field in its own right. Bringing together researchers from many different disciplines, the handbook surveys this landscape, identifying common trends, achievements as well as shortcomings of the existing literature. The introduction sets the scene for what follows. After characterising the complexities of “nostalgia studies” – and particularly of defining nostalgia – as well as posing some overarching questions investigations into nostalgia find themselves confronted with, it summarises the state of research. Following on this, it sketches out the concept and the scope and structure of the volume as well as how individual contributions fit in with, ending with some ideas for future directions of research on nostalgia.