Critical Theory Today : A User-Friendly Guide (Garland Reference Library of the Humanities) 1st Edition

I think that most undergraduate students will appreciate being wisely and gently shepherded into the wild fields of literary theory by professor Tyson's 1999 study. In fact, so will most lay reader lambs who innocently venture into what they thought were safe fields of, say, the Times Literary Supplement in hopes of deepening their appreciation of the classics and literary creativity. So many "academic" surveys cloak in academic wool their lupine ideological teeth, Tyson keeps a strong, healthy overview of the various schools (packs?) of critics. She appreciates the concerns and contributions of the various critical approaches without being co-opted; she shares their thoughtful contributions in "user-friendly" fashion without resorting to the cutesy "for dummie sheep" approach.An excellent guide through the tangled weavings of modern critical writings, analyzing with respect, exploring with optimistic skepticism. GENERAL READERS: Don't leave this "textbook" in the classroom; it is a most comfortable armour for venturing forth into the 21st Century literary world. If you were not fortunate enough to be one of Tyson's students, study with her here!

A clear presentation of what can be a very confusing subject. Each chapter presents a different type of theory and contains a selected bibliography divided into primary and secondary sources for further reading. It serves as a very good introduction to the subject.

This is a great book, I've read it before and I loaned it to a friend and never got it back so I wanted to purchase it again. However, when I received the book, it was in terrible condition. I thought I was buying a new copy....the front cover looked chewed and there is serious water damage.

I teach an undergraduate course in critical theory. Tyson's is the single most useful introduction to that subject that I have encountered -- and I've looked at many, many introductions to theory. Tyson's book is clear and practical, setting forth the principles of each critical theory and then applying those principles in analyzing F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, "The Great Gatsby." If I could, I would not merely give this book five stars, but also "flag" it for teachers and students searching Amazon for the best introduction to literary theory: this is the one that you should buy.

Prof. Tyson's text is a worthy companion to Mcluhan, Chomsky and even Joseph Campbell. The idea that one can find a "skeleton key" for literature is certainly not a new one, but forging your own key has become deliciously less difficult now that Lois Tyson's book is available. Don't like The Great Gatsby, that's okay, apply lit. theory to any available piece of writing, music, art...anything. That's the beauty of the whole process of critical discernment. The question of "what makes good art?" is always relevant, and now a substantial answer may be esier to come by. I return to this book every time I encounter a new concept in psych., sociology, philosophy...it applies to everything. Literature is only the begining.

Happily, this book actually lives up to its name. Though I am still far from being conversant in theory, I now feel that I have a basic understanding of what is going on and I'm ready to explore more on my own. Also very helpful was how each chapter concluded with a reading of The Great Gatsby from that theoretical perspective. It really helped to show how theory can be used in so many ways to produce varied readings on the text. I am so happy that I found this book!

Lois Tyson's "Critical Theory Today, A User-Friendly Guide" has profoundly changed the way I understand and experience literature. All the various lenses of current theories are lucidly and brilliantly brought into focus in a personable yet scholarly manner. An exciting must read for all those who love to read. It gives voice and consciousness to all the disparate sensibilities one has while reading. Important issues of psychology, class, gender, race, orientation among others are presented. The chapter on deconstruction made me laugh out loud with enjoyment while the feminist and African-American chapters brought into chilling focus the distance yet needed to be traveled for balance and equality. I will never be quite finished with Ms.Tyson's book for I will be referring to it for years to come as a truly user -friendly guide through literature, theater, cinema and all the cultural constructs I encounter.

I had only bought this book before it was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances (This is a world, and we must occasionally tolerate human mistake if it is not urgent), and when I mailed them, they answered quickly and provided me the same book in the next mail.The book is of high quality and has no marks on it other than the library stamp, despite the fact that it is a used book. I'm wondering if old books are as good as new books, and if so, why buy a new book. I highly recommend both the books and the vendor.

Makes it all clear to me!