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An Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory, 2nd Ed.
 
 
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An Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory, 2nd Ed. (Paperback)

by Dr Andrew Bennett (Author), Prof Nicholas Royle (Author)
3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback: 312 pages
  • Publisher: Prentice Hall; 2 edition (16 Feb 1999)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0130109142
  • ISBN-13: 978-0130109149
  • Product Dimensions: 21.4 x 13.7 x 1.7 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 30,343 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #3 in  Books > Fiction > Authors, A-Z > R > Royle, Nicholas
    #33 in  Books > Poetry, Drama & Criticism > History & Criticism > Literary Theory & Movements > Semiotics

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Product Description

Product Description
This book presents the key critical concepts in literary studies today, avoiding the jargonistic, abstract nature of much `theory'. The authors explore crucial issues in contemporary criticism and theory by focusing closely on a range of texts, from Chaucer to Achebe and from Milton to Morrison. 

From the Back Cover

'The best introduction to literary study on the market' Jonathan Culler,

Cornell University'

'The most un-boring, unnerving, unpretentious textbook I've ever come across'

Elizabeth Wright, University of Cambridge

'It is by far the bext and most readable of all such introductions that I know of...The treatment of the various topics is masterful, even-handed, and informative. I cannot think of a better introduction for undergraduates, to be sure, but for many graduate students too.'

Hayden White, University of California at Santa Cruz

I don't know of any book that could, or does, compete with this one. It is irreplaceable'

Richard Rand, University of Alabama

(Bennett and Royle have) cracked the problem of how to be introductory and sophisticated, accessible but not patronising.'

Peter Buse, English Subject Centre Newsletter

An Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theoryprovides a completely fresh  and original introduction to literary studies.

Bennett & Royle approach their subject by way of literary works themselves (a poem by Emily Dickinson, a passage from Shakespeare, a novel by Salman Rushdie), rather than by way of abstract theoretical ideas and isms. In thirty-two short chapters they focus on a range of familiar-looking terms (character, the author, voice, narrative) as well as less obvious ones (laughter, pleasure, ghosts, secrets) in order to show why such literary texts are so compelling. This third edition updates and expands on earlier editions, and includes new chapters on:

  • creative writing
  • literature and film
  • war
  • monsters, mutants and the inhuman

An Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory avoids what is so frequently tiresome or intimidating about 'theory', offering instead an introduction that is consistently entertaining, thought provoking and surprising.

 

The Authors

The authors have wide experience of teaching and lecturing on literature and literary theory at universities in Britain, Europe and the United States. Andrew Bennett is  Professor of English at the University of Bristol and Nicholas Royle is Professor English at the University of Sussex.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Customer Reviews

12 Reviews
5 star:
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4 star:
 (4)
3 star:
 (2)
2 star:
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1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.8 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars An inspiring book that never becomes over-academic, 25 Oct 2002
By A Customer
I found that this book was written with fluidity and verve, especially for a guide to crit. theory which can so often be starchy and inpenetrable. The topics discussed offer a superficial but fascinating look into various aspects of literature and from there point to intelligently selective further reading. Very useful for lit. degree students, as almost every facet of theory is discussed.
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, comprehensive, easy to understand, fun., 13 Sep 2000
By A Customer
I read this book in my first year of an English Literature degree course. It was the best guide to theory that I have read. It's divided into short, interesting, easy-to-digest chapters. The authors have a sense of humour and avoid excessive jargon, while still communicating a lot of information. I was only planning to read a couple of chapters but ended up reading the entire book. It's a great book to read if you feel overwhelmed by the complexity of some other theoretical books and would like to read something that is concise and at the same time varied in its content. I would recommend it to students and those who are just interested in literary theory.
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb, 5 Dec 2005
This review is from: An Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory (Paperback)
This book offers a real insight into the vast world of literary criticism and theory: it delves into fundamental subject areas, asking questions like, 'What is the text? Where does it begin?' Bennett & Royle consistently keep our interest (no mean feat in a book of this scope) and write concisely, intelligently and fluently. Case studies are used, so the theory really comes into play. I would recommend this book to anyone starting a course on literature or merely with an interest in the texts that make up our world. Particularly useful are the 'Further Reading' footnotes at the end of each chapter, which will advise you on texts to read according to what you found interesting about the subject. This is a relatively short book, but covers all its subject matter well and references other works which can provide a deeper insight. Don't expect to use this as a complete reference book; you will need to do some more reading, but as a comprehensive summary of modern literary theory this book is perfect.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars An intro. to Literature, Criticism and Theory.
It's an excellent text book, easy to read and understand. Plus, it touches modern themes as ghosts or creative writing, so you don't have this sense that you are reading another... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Alba Hernandez Benito

2.0 out of 5 stars Academic text
I used this as part of a module at University. The book is divided into useful chapters which allow the ease of use of this book. Read more
Published 7 months ago by E. Crouch

4.0 out of 5 stars Easier to comprehend than most - odd lapses into pseudyness
I like this book, it explains Eng Lit without indulging in too many nerdy 'Fry and Laurie' type "well I saw six levels", "oh well I saw eight levels" pseudy intellectual onanism... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Jonty H Campbell

5.0 out of 5 stars Ten star rating and more
This book achieves the impossible. It makes the difficult and obtuse polemical and theoretical debates of recent history easy to read. Yes, believe it or not! Read more
Published on 22 Mar 2007 by P. Clark

3.0 out of 5 stars A worthy introduction but only goes so far
This book is a useful tool for students wishing to grasp the basics, and sample a broad range, of critical approaches to literature. Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2007 by Mr. RW Abbotson

4.0 out of 5 stars I love this book!
Whilst trying to write an essay about desire, I became so confused I just wanted a book that would explain the various theories in simple language so that I would understand it... Read more
Published on 10 Nov 2006 by Joanna Spooner

2.0 out of 5 stars Superficial and condescending.
In my first year as an UG philosophy and literature student, this book very nearly put me completely off literary theory: each of its chapters would be brilliant as an... Read more
Published on 18 Feb 2006

3.0 out of 5 stars "Good, but not amazing"
I've only seen praise for this book around, and I bought it myself as someone who is returning to starting to study literature in depth for the first time. Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2002

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent compilation of jargon referring to literature.
This text has some very interesting points to make and can be a very helpful introductory guide to English literature. Read more
Published on 11 Dec 2000

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