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Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) (Paperback)

by Jonathan Culler (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
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Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) + Beginning theory (third edition): An introduction to literary and cultural theory (Beginnings) + An Introduction to Literature Criticism and Theory
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Product details

  • Paperback: 152 pages
  • Publisher: Oxford Paperbacks; New Ed edition (24 Feb 2000)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 019285383X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0192853837
  • Product Dimensions: 17 x 10.7 x 1 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 9,784 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Product Description

Sir Frank Kermode

It is impossible to imagine a clearer treatment of the subject, or one that is, within the given limits of length, more comprehensive. Culler has always been remarkable for his expository skills, and here he has found exactly the right method and tone for his purposes. |s Sir Frank Kermode


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A must read for all literature students. (Bookwise )
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Customer Reviews

7 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.6 out of 5 stars (7 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A gentle introduction to theory, 22 Jan 2006
By Peter Reeve (Thousand Oaks, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)      
The fact that literary theory is often referred to as just 'theory' should alert the newcomer to its amorphous and unfocused nature. It is no longer concerned just with literature, but with every aspect of culture and experience. It is a theory of theories, a post-modernist stocktaking of the western intellectual tradition.

Culler traces several paths through this boundless philosophical landscape. Seven such paths actually, exploring aspects of language, identity and meaning. These constitute as gentle an introduction as is possible. In fact, it is difficult to imagine a better guide than Culler, with his clear and elegant style and his breadth of knowledge. Although this is not a conventional school-by-school primer, there is a section at the end briefly summarizing the major schools, from Russian Formalism to Queer Theory (yes, you heard right). The author advises that you can read these summaries before, after, or during the main text. I recommend leaving them until after, when they will be a lot more meaningful. Otherwise, they might frighten you off from reading the text itself.

The illustrations consist of a half-dozen or so vaguely relevant cartoons. I suppose, as this series is illustrated, OUP felt obliged to include something, even if the text had no need of it. More positively, this book is blessedly free of the typos that normally bedevil the series.

If you wish to 'dip your toe in the water' of literary theory (and be warned, it is a maelstrom) Culler's book is the perfect place to do it.

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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Useful, 8 Jul 2005
By The Fisher Price King "Straight from the gut" (London) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   
This is a short, largely jargon-free guide to literary theory, which explores the field not by school of criticism (formalism, post-structuralism, etc.), but rather by theme. This is a good approach, although it arguably leaves the reader with a slightly hazy sense of the particular theoretical contributions of people like Foucault and Barthes. But Culler writes very clearly, and this is a good starting point for exploring this area, although it would perhaps best be used in conjunction with a book like Terry Eagleton's Literary Theory or Raman Selden's Reader's Guide to Contemporary Literary Theory.
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18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars indepensible for all students and lovers of literature, 5 Oct 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) (Paperback)
Culler makes the subject of Lit. theory interesting, after generations who had to endure Gavin Ross's laborious essays on criticism this is of welcome relief. A fantastic read and as textbooks go it is stunning.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Very short indeed
This has been the first book I've read on literary theory, and I've enjoyed it. It explains quite clearly the various questions you should ask yourself when you're facing a text,... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Marco Colombo

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Introduction, Clear Writing
If only every book in the Very Short Introduction-series was written as lucidly as this volume I would buy them all without hesitation. Read more
Published on 25 May 2007 by Asp

5.0 out of 5 stars Great little intro
This is an enjoyable and very clear introduction to what can often be a rather obscure domain. I can warmly recommend it to anyone who's reading this!
Published on 18 Mar 2007 by Mr. Peter Coville

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of it's kind
The thematic approach of this book is very effective. Issues are discussed without waffle, or ego. Overall a must for anyone studying English.
Published on 2 Dec 2000

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