English Criticism, 1900-1950

A History of Modern Criticism, 1750-1950 #5

by René Wellek, Reň Wellek

The seventh volume of Rene Wellek's monumental history of modern criticism is a comprehensive, clearly written survey of the main currents of twentieth-century criticism in eastern Europe. A forthcoming, and final, volume will cover the same period in western Europe. In volume 7, as in the preceding six books of the series, Wellek expounds and analyzes the work of the most prominent critics, offering succinct appraisals of his subjects both as individuals and as participants in the broader movements of the century.

Genres: Nonfiction, Literary Criticism

352 pages, Hardcover

Published July 10, 1986

Reviews

[Felipe Oquendo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is, if not my favourite, at least one of my favourite volumes of Wellek's magnum opus up till now. The abundance of theoretical and abstract appreciations which made me a bit sleepy in volumes 3 and 4 (contrasting to the real "historical feel" of volumes 1 and 2) give way to real flesh, red blooded analysis of Wellek's contemporaries, some of which he engaged personally (oftentimes critically) during their lifetime. The theory is there, mind you, but the vividness of the subject gets the better part -- thanks God. And what is even better: he is able to place the surveyed critics historically and to maintain his intellectual distance without the need to omit or sugarcoat his controversies with them.