Dialogism: Bakhtin and His World

by Michael Holquist

Mikhail Bakhtin's ideas have influenced thinking in literary studies, anthropology, linguistics, psychology and social theory. But is there a discernible shape to his work as a whole?
Michael Holquist's masterly study draws on all of Bakhtin's writings known to exist, to provide a comprehensive account of his achievement. He argues that Bakhtin's work gains coherence through his commitment to the concept of dialogue. Holquist examines Bakhtin's dialogue with other thinkers, including Saussure, Freud, Marx and Lukacs, as well as other figures in the history of thinking about dialogue whose connection with Bakhtin's work have previously been ignored.
Dialogism also includes dialogic readings of some major literary texts - Mary Shelley's Frankenstein , Gogol's The Nose and Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby - which provide another dimension of dialogue with dialogue.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Theory, Criticism

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Mike Mena · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this for a second time, and years of exposure to Bakhtin, I must say, this is the best book I read on Bakhtin thus far. This book is difficult. Will require multiple readings. It is, however, easier than Bakhtin himself. It will most definitely assist any experienced reader of Bakhtin. For those new to him, this book will help no matter what, but there are easier books out there. I would recommend this to Advanced Bakhtin readers for they will get the most out of it. It is a 5 star book to advanced readers and a 3 star book for beginners.

[Rod Naquin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is outstanding; a thoughtful primer on most things Bakhtin, with two case studies of novels to illustrate his thought—Frankenstein and Gatsby. So many leads to follow from this one—but the ever-dynamic vision of consciousness as co-constructed and dependent upon another is fundamental for research I’m developing

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

Como o autor referenciado no texto, o livro é denso e extremamente complexo, apesar de explicativo(!?). No entanto, fica claro o domínio do autor pelo tema e, provavelmente, deve ser uma excelente fonte.

[John Carter McKnight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bakhtin is tough. While not nearly as given to jargon as most writing in the tradition of German philosophy, his concepts are slippery and often abstract. So, a short volume explaining his core concepts is a tremendously useful thing.

Holquist delivers: his scholarship and depth of understanding is impressive, and he's able, largely, to ground difficult concepts in clear prose and solid examples. The bibliography is superb, but only extends to 2000.

One YMMV feature is his repeated use of examples of his own to illustrate Bakhtin's ideas: the analyses of Frankenstein, The Great Gatsby and Gogol's "Notes of A Madman" may or may not be helpful, depending on your field and interests.

[sologdin · Rating 2 out of 5]

considered by some as the gold standard reading of bakhtin. it's an attempt to claim bakhtin for neo-Kantian humanism.