The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Literary Theory and Criticism (Complete Idiot’s Guides (Lifestyle Paperback))

Product Description

Used in colleges and college-prep courses in the US, AS/A2 prep in the UK, and by interested readers and writers everywhere. Authoritative, genuinely helpful, and just funny enough. You’ll see.

Literary interpretation can be a complex topic. This lively and entertaining guide takes the intimidation out of it, offering readers a scholarly yet easy-to-follow examination of literary theory’s central arguments, key figures, and fascinating history. From Plato to ecocriticism, this helpful guide gives you everything you need to know to really understand literature–plus hundreds of references to novels, stories, poems, plays, and more.

Review

“A very readable and–would you believe it–extremely enjoyable introduction to literary theory. This book presents complex thoughts in easily graspable and quite memorable sentences. Guaranteed to appeal to anyone who loves to juggle with concepts and ideas.” – Monika Fludernik, PhD, University of Freiburg.

“Never more serious than when cracking a joke, Steven J. Venturino banishes dullness and gets to the point of literary theory, which has always been to spark the delight of understanding.” – Haun Saussy, PhD, University of Chicago.

About the Author

Steven J. Venturino is an award-winning educator and an internationally recognized literary theorist.