Reading Theory: An Introduction to Lacan, Derrida and Kristeva [Paperback]

Michael Payne (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0631182896 | ISBN-13: 978-0631182894 | Publication Date: August 30, 1993 | Edition: 1

'Deconstruction', 'psychoanalysis', and 'semiotics' have become part of the vocabulary of contempoorary culture. Reading Theory introduces the principal texts by Derrida, Lacan and Kristeva that are behind these terms and that provide their contexts. This book concentrates its attention on making accessible what these three theorists have written, rather than offering a synthetic construction of the fashionable terminology of theory.

• Works carefully through key texts by the leading contemporary theorists
• Clear, accessible and introductory
• Challenges recent attacks on theory and on Derrida.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[Shows] perception and originality." Julia Kristeva

"By intensive reading clarified by historical and intertexual contexts of each of the authors, he achieves a series of brilliant explications".... I have never read a more lucid explanation of these ideas". James R. Bennett, University of Arkansas

From the Back Cover

"Deconstruction," "psychoanalysis," and "semiotics" have becoem part of the vocabulary of contempoarry culture. Reading Theory introduces the principal texts by Lacan, Derrida, and Kristeva that lie behind these terms and that provide their contexts. This book concentrates its attention on making accessiblw what these three theorists have written, rather than offering a synthetin abstraction of the fashionable terminology of theory.

In addition to these detailed readings Michael Payne examines and introduces the manifestos of each writer, their "readings" of paintings, and provides a systematic response to their critics.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 1 edition (August 30, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631182896
• ISBN-13: 978-0631182894
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,419,746 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant "translation" of some heavy theoretical texts., August 4, 2001

By 

Jason Snyder (Lewisburg, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reading Theory: An Introduction to Lacan, Derrida and Kristeva (Paperback)

Mike Payne's book is a godsend to literary theory students. It distills the heavily theoretical works of Lacan, Derrida, and Kristeva, and makes them more easily understandable (if it is possible to truly understand these texts). I had the pleasure of being one of Prof. Payne's students at Bucknell, and I must say that he is as brilliant in class as he is on paper.