Customer Reviews

The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism (Second Edition)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have taught both the first and second editions.

The new edition has cut the excerpt from Plato's "Ion," has eviscerated Freud's "On the Uncanny" by removing Freud's charming personal anecdotes (about his own experiences of uncanny repetitions), and has made Gayatri Spivak's "Can the Subaltern Speak?" asymmetrical by removing the early discussion of "widow suicide" while retaining the powerful final anecdote about the early 20th century suicide of a distant relation, Bhubaneswari Bhadhuri. Some of these excisions make the theory seem more difficult and disconnected than it is in fuller context.

I was disappointed, too, that among the expanded selection in the new edition there is still nothing on animal studies. I would suggest an excerpt from Derrida's "The Animal That Therefore I Am" or an expanded Deleuze and Guattari section (pitifully short now, just about 4 pages) to include an excerpt from their chapter on "Becoming Animal" in _A Thousand Plateaus_. The writings of Gaston Bachelard should also be represented.

This nonetheless remains the best anthology of its kind, with its useful biographical and contextual headnotes (some of which are also revised in this new edition), its choice of excellent translations, and its usually helpful footnotes.

To squeeze more in this time, however, they really did squeeze out part of the pith of several of their best selections. I did not go back to make a detailed review, but I also had a strong impression that the material from Kant had been edited to the point of unnecessary obscurity in places. You can't eliminate the examples these authors give. They are often the easiest way to the heart of each author's theory.

Please, Norton, consider restoring the selection from "Ion" when a third edition is being put together.

Overall, I am disappointed in this edition.

Excellent compilation of critical texts from all times and places, including summaries. Helpful tool for scholars.

I have a BA in English, so I have many a Norton Anthology on my shelf. Now that I'm working on my MFA, this is a great resource for any English major. There are some great summaries and the back of the book that aid understanding. One caveat-it's VERY heavy. Not portable for transporting around campus.

I purchased this book for my daughter for her college class. She looked into several places to purchase the book. I would recommend looking on Amazon for books you need for college.

The book was in great condition, just as advertised. It was almost a week before the seller shipped it, though. Once it shipped, it arrived quickly, as promised. Overall I am quite happy with the purchase, but I needed that book ASAP so it added a little stress to my life. But not much. Thanks so much for the great book!