The Routledge Companion to Critical Theory

Routledge Companions

by Simon Malpas (Editor)

The Routledge Companion to Critical Theory is an indispensable aid for anyone approaching this exciting field of study for the first time. By exploring ideas from a diverse range of disciplines, ‘theory’ encourages us to develop a deeper understanding of how we approach the written word. This book defines what is generically referred to as ‘critical theory’, and guides readers through some of the most complex and fundamental concepts in the field, ranging from Historicism to Postmodernism, from Psychoanalytic Criticism to Race and Postcoloniality. Fully cross referenced throughout, the book encompasses manageable introductions to important ideas followed by a dictionary of terms and thinkers which students are likely to encounter. Further reading is offered to guide students to crucial primary essays and introductory chapters on each concept.

Genres: Philosophy, Criticism, Nonfiction, Literary Fiction

312 pages, Paperback

First published May 18, 2006

Reviews

[Teleseparatist · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read a few chapters, with mixed impressions. The one on postcolonial studies was okay, the one on feminism... not that great.

[Paras2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay, first of all I should say that we only covered part 1 in our classes and part two is mostly names gathered like a glossary so I dare say I finished this book.
Second thing to say would be that I DO NOT RECOMMEND this book!!! The text was unbelievably complicated and hard to understand, believe me I read it before class to be ready for the discussions but it only made me more confused. So yeah, if you're interested in critical theories, for heaven's sake, read other books, like Bressler or Dutton or if u wanna go beyond this, read Cambridge companions, they're so friendly while this book here was so hostile I'm amazed I'm still in possession of my mental faculties. 😳
I don't want to discourage any brave soul who'd want to read this but know that you're in for a rough ride :))))

[Jon Davison · Rating 2 out of 5]

The chapters vary so greatly in quality that this book really isn't much use as an overall introduction to critical theory. The chapter son Marxism and historicism are pretty good, clear and accessible to students new to this field. But the chapter on deconstruction is maybe the worst example of what deconstruction is sometimes accused of: jargon. Impenetrable and definitely not for the beginner. Not quite as bad, but fairly weak, is the chapter on poststructuralism, which reads like it was knocked off in a break between doing something more important. The rest of the chapters are mediocre at best.

[Aniela Smoczyńska]

Ciekawe i przydatne (o dziwo). Skondensowane podstawowe teorie. Idealne przygotowanie pod pisanie na jakikolwiek temat z dziedziny teorii krytycznej. Szczególnie polecam rozdział o marksizmie.

[Valerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book itself is a good and useful introduction to critical theory. I just wish I were the type of person who could read theory and philosophy and get enjoyment out of it. I've tried so hard to be that person but I'm not. I'm finally giving up. Other people can argue about this kind of thing, I'll let the ideas trickle their way down through media to me.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really helpful for my Critical Methods class.