Critical Theory Today: A User-Friendly Guide

This was the required textbook for a class on literary theory/criticism.I cannot speak to the work on a scholarly level, as I had never studied literary criticism/theory before. I can speak to the book as a student, and as someone who knew nothing about the subject prior to reading the text book.As far as textbooks go, this one is well-written; the ideas are clearly presented; the book is written for beginners, so it is light on all the scholarly language. In short: the book does not seem to be written in the manner of many textbooks, where the writing seems to be one academic trying to impress another academic.The most helpful aspect of the book is that it is written to be used along with F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" (so, the class used both this text, and a copy of "Gatsby"). While "Gatsby" is not one of my favorite books, it was helpful to have the combination of theory and example. What I mean is that each critical theory has its own chapter (mostly), and the theory is explained. At the end of each chapter, the theory is then applied to "Gatsby" which, I think, makes it easier to understand the application of the theory.(As a side note: for the final class paper, I was at the library looking through another critical theory text. That particular book had chapters about each specific theory, but the chapters ended with essays applying the theory to a variety of books -- one chapter had an essay about how the theory related to "Hamlet", another chapter's essay applied the theory to Hawthorne. While it was interesting to read, if you hadn't read the works the chapter-ending essays referred to, it did nothing to add to the understanding of the theory. With Ms Tyson's book, having the theories all related to one book, read in conjunction, made understanding the theories much easier.)For students who are interested in carrying the ideas and concepts further, each chapter lists "questions to ask for further readings", giving a short story/novel to read, then a question (related to the theory) to answer. These are followed by two sets of "For further reading", one for the beginning student, the other list for more advanced students.

This textbook saved my grade- Hans Bertens' horrifically written "Literary Theory" was the required textbook for my into theory class, and after the very first week spent reading and rereading paragraphs to figure out what he was trying to say, I knew I was in trouble. I saw someone recommending Tyson on the reviews for Bertens' book, and in desperation I rented this edition because it was low-cost. This book is worth every cent I spent on it and more. I can say with confidence Tyson is the only reason I passed that class. Her explanations of each theory are both conscious and nuanced, and most importantly, easy to read. I especially appreciated how she applies each theory to The Great Gatsby so I could see how each theory functions in practice and changes the interpretation of the text. I highly recommend this textbook, especially if you're saddled with Bertens and struggling!

I'm using this book for a college class in literary criticism, and I love it. I will confess that I dreaded the course, because literary criticism can be an exercise in one-upmanship ("I'm more esoteric than you!"), and I have no patience with academics who write for each other and don't care about being actually understood. Tyson gets it, and presents the various schools of critical theory clearly and concisely, yet with enough substance to make this reader able to immediately apply the theories she describes to different literary works. Each of her chapters ends with an application to Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, which I thought I knew, but under Tyson's pen the novel is unpacked in layers of meaning. I can't say enough good things about this text - highly recommended both for classes and for anyone who wants to glean more out of reading literature.

This book was an assigned reading for an advanced placement English course. I found it to be very readable although I found the chapters dealing with different styles of critical theory varied as to relevance. For example, the first half of the chapter on feminist criticism dealt with feminism per se as opposed to feminist criticism. Much of what she had to say about feminism seemed dated - it seemed more relevant to the 1960's - 1970's than today. She identifies herself as a "recovering patriachal feminist" as opposed to a "recovered patriarchar feminist" - a viewpoint that was very obvious. I think that this chapter would have benefited from a less personally skewed point of view.

For a book that i only bought because i needed it for my theories class this book was a perfect buy! the theories that were discussed along with the interweaving of other sources was just fantastic. this book made you think and you were able to tie every theory in with your own life and own opinions. i would deffinitely re-read again !!

This book helped me get through my Literary Theory class. If I didn't have it to reference so many things my C+ would have been an F. Literary theory was extremely challenging to me but with the guidance of this book I made it through.

Very insightful. It puts theory into simple, everyday language and uses clear examples in the text. Tyson keeps the readings interesting and conversational, and my reluctance to read about theory vanished because of her writing style. Definitely useful for other classes as well and not a grudging read.

This was a required book and I learned a lot from it. The theories they tech are a bit confusing until you being to apply it to books you are reading, then they become much clearer. Kind of like putting in tons of 0's and 1's in the old days of programing then finally seeing the outcome in the end.

Every theory I ever needed whilst studying English Literature at University. Still use it now as reference to specific critical theories in my work. Fab product, and well worth the money.

Tyson really makes literary theory easy to understand and apply. Full of examples in an easier language (not lacking any insight, though!). One of the best features of this book is the analysis of The Great Gatsby at the end of each chapter, showing how literary theories are ways of seeing a text and how you can apply any theory to any text pretty much. At the end of each chapter there are also questions that can help you focus your analysis in any work and there are suggested texts you can analyze through her own guidelines. Very useful and clear!

Excellent. students'friendly

This book is a very effective introduciton to differnet critical apporaches to studying literature and the auhtor's use of The great gtasby as an exemplar text is mightily useful for anyone who is teaching undergraduates or A level students this text.really great book.

Quiet comprehensive book and presents clear and strong base for each theory discussed..