Postmodern Narrative Theory

by Mark Currie

This is an accessible and stimulating summary of the often over-complex theories that have transformed the study of narrative in recent decades. Mark Currie establishes direct links between the workings of fictional narratives and those of the non-fiction

Genres: Theory, Nonfiction

180 pages, Paperback

First published June 22, 1998

Reviews

[Luna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very concise introduction to psotmodern narrative theory. What annoyed me a bit was the biased stance and the use of informal diction.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title is misleading: this book is not about narrative strategies in postmodern texts. It is a survey of what is going on in narrative theory since the demise of modernism. It could just as easily have been titled “Contemporary Narrative Theory.” That said, this is no mere survey. Currie is combative, and downright ornery at times. He argues with every point of view he presents. The primary thing that Currie documents is the transition that has occurred in Narratology. He argues that it is not in fact dead, its roots in formalism perhaps eclipsed, but that only served to surface new issues. This is not an easy book. Despite a chapter entitled “Terminologisation” where Currie rails against criticism’s penchant for terminology for terminology’s sake, he never quite escapes it himself. He offers an interesting reading of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde that will send me off to read that book to see if his reading is on target.

[wasteland baby]

Genuinely entertaining (in the bits I could follow, I skipped a few chapters), I always forget how fun it is to read literary theorists being shady about other literary theorists. Currie is in general just a very good writer! Also shoutout to historiographic metafiction, gotta be one of my favorite genders

[Kim Matheson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I happened upon this book quite by accident, and I'm so glad I did. I loved it! It is not for the faint of heart, so those who approach it looking for an undergraduate-level introduction to narrative theory will be blindsided. In my case, it served as an excellent peek into the current state of postmodern narratology precisely *because* of its depth and the included doses of philosophy. Part of this book's genius is that it inserts all its complexity into the philosophical/theoretical discussions and all of its clarity into the framing questions about narratology. Because that split happened to align with my own relative strengths and weaknesses, this volume just served my purposes really well. I'll want to return to it.

[Helvy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Transitions critically explores movements in literary theory. Guiding the reader thruogh the poetics and politics interpretative paradigms and schools of thought...

[Molly]

I won't pretend I understood this book. It's more of a history of how narrative theory has gotten to where it is today, which is part of what narrative theory is today, but also a little difficult to get into when you don't have a basis in the subject.

It's a book I'll come back to when I feel ready because what I understood was either enlightening or really funny, like how petty some professors and philosophers turned out to be.

[Chadwick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A useful survey of post classical narrative theory. Came out just before unnatural narratology became a thing, and is a bit out of date as a result. The reading of Jekyll and Hyde that Currie does at the end is excellent, and provides a very useful example of how powerful and useful post classical approaches to narrative can be.

[Abtin Mainson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is an excellent book for individuals who have an excellent narrative theory background and want to know more about Post-Modern narration. Should you have no experience with narration theory, you should avoid this book until you read tons of books about narration and viewpoint.
I hope you all enjoy the book as much as I do.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

i may disagree with some of currie's bitching but i still like that he does it

[Ian Sergeant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although in reality likely confined to first year undergraduate reading, this is a book for anyone with an interest in the evolution of the narrative. The first chapter whips through the history of narratology , to bring us up to date with narrative theory. The second shuns (and mocks) the jargon that makes the field normally so unintelligible to the lay-person.

Currie proposes that even as the narrative becomes ubiquitous in post-modernist theory, that the narrative is not dead.

The book concludes with two interesting case studies, including one on Jekyll and Hyde. His commentary on the narrative within that novel is most interesting, and could almost be read separately to the main text by those with an interest in the intricacies of that novel.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh uni texts.