Reading After Theory

by Valentine Cunningham

Valentine Cunningham's controversial manifesto asks what will and should happen to reading in the post-theory era.

Genres: Criticism, Theory, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2002

Reviews

[Talrubei · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the type of book that the author had to write in order for him to sleep well. It is an urgent priority not something usually necessitated by the Literary criticism academic industry. The author's presence is strongly felt throughout, much to the chagrin of [Theory]'s murderous tendencies.

However, I see the energy dedicated to debunking the gibberish of Theory (as he calls it, and I agree) is more than that dedicated to proposing his theory (small caps) of Tact.

All in all, an enjoyable and witty read.

Thank you.

[Eduardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read, I had Prof. Cunningham at Oxford & his lectures in our tutorial were used in this work. It is an academic book but reads so well(no pun intended) and dissects how modern criticism in whatever form of post or post modern form it comes has moved away from simply reading a work. Its a favorite of mine.

[Silvie Němcová · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valentine Cunningham is the equivalent of a professional academic hater, and I have an immense respect for that. He possesses the level of pettiness I strive towards. It is like he appeared and spent an entire book saying, "You know who's annoying? Everyone." #NobodyIsSafe
Cunningham somehow made this academic book hilarious, and I even had a great time studying it. Five stars, no regrets.

Honorable mentions:
'open-faced' is good: best to open a book before you read it, don't you think? So What? one wants to cry. Or, Get On With It. We'll be the judge of the results, should they ever come.

Other must always be named, insists Gayatri Spivak. 'She must always be acknowledged in our work.' 'Who is the other woman? How am I naming her?' But, also, 'How does she name me?' Not at all, is probably the right answer to that.

But as a case, it is more charming than critically illustrative.

These autobiographical buttresses of her readings are less convincing even than Michael Jackson's crocodile tears when attacking child abuse.

[Kam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a joy to be fed wonderful knowledge and at the same time an opinion, which one has the choice to agree with or not. This is a great mind at work. Mostly user-friendly book, semi-difficult but enriching to read.

[Patrik · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting take on literary theory which tries to objectively assess our (sometimes questionable) approaches to literary criticism.

[Christina “6 word reviewer” Lake]

Poignantly quaint thesis: let's read tactfully.