A Reader's Guide to Contemporary Literary Theory

Reflecting the continuing change and development in modern literacy theory, the key features of this book includes its clarity, brevity, equal coverage of the main literary theories and useful bibliographies of further reading.

Literature students will find its clearly defined sections easy to navigate and whilst avoiding over-simplification, it makes a complex subject accessible.

Preface to the Fifth Edition

Introduction

1. New Criticism, moral formalism and F. R. Leavis

2. Russian formalism and the Bakhtin school

3. Reader-oriented theories

4. Structuralist theories

5. Marxist theories

6. Feminist theories

7. Poststructuralist theories

8. Postmodernist theories

9. Postcolonialist theories

10. Gay, lesbian and queer theories

Conclusion: Post-Theory

Appendix 1: Recommended glossaries of theoretical and critical terms and concepts

Appendix 2: Literary, critical and cultural theory journals

Index

Peter Widdowson is Professor of Literature at the University of Gloucester. Peter Brooker is Professor of Modern Literature and Culture at University College, Northampton.

Expert Reviews

The best of the many guides to literary theory that are currently available. Widdowson and Brooker chart a clear and comprehensively documented path through the full range of what is best in contemporary literary theory…indispensable for all students of literature…An impressive achievement!

John Drakakis, Stirling University

This Guide is as stimulating and instructive an introduction to [literary theory] as any reader might wish for.

John Kenny, Centre for the Study of Human Settlement and Historical Change, National University of Ireland, Galway

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