Hypertext 2.0: The Convergence of Contemporary Critical Theory and Technology

by George P. Landow, George P. Landlow

George Landow's widely acclaimed Hypertext was the first book to bring together the worlds of literary theory and computer technology to explore the implications of giving readers instant, easy access to a virtual library of sources as well as unprecedented control of what and how they read. In hypermedia, Landow saw in a strikingly literal embodiment of many major points of contemporary literary theory, particularly Derrida's idea of "de-centering" and Barthes's conception of the "readerly" versus "writerly" text. "Landow['s]... presentation is measured, experiential, lucid, moderate, and sensible. He merely points out that the concept 'hypertext' lets us test some concepts associated with critical theory, and gracefully shows how the technology is contributing to reconfigurations of text, author, narrative, and (literary) education." -- Post Modern Culture, reviewing the first edition

Genres: Nonfiction

368 pages, Hardcover

First published September 5, 1997

Reviews

[Cullen Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

When this study first appeared, it must have seemed revolutionary. As it stands now, a lot of what Landow argues seems quite dated; however, I think some of the points he makes about hypertext and the future or literary education to be quite compelling and in need of further discussion.

A question or point I think Landow never arrives at or explores is who the ideal reader of hypertext is.To be more specific, I question how "accessible" a hypertext would have been. When one considers that this book was published in 1997, well before computers were a common household appliance, the limits of hypertext become apparent. By its very inception, it would seem, hypertext would necessarily be a privileged and marginalizing form.

[Niki · Rating 4 out of 5]

hypertext may seem outdated, but the active reading and academic mind mapping discussed associated with hypertext is still very important today.