Foucault and Queer Theory (Postmodern Encounters) (Paperback)

~ Tamsin Spargo (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Michel Foucault is the most gossiped-about celebrity of French poststructuralist theory. The homophobic insult 'queer' is now proudly reclaimed by some who once called themselves lesbian or gay. What is the connection between the two?

This is a postmodern encounter between Foucault's theories of sexuality, power and discourse and the current key exponents of queer thinking who have adpted, revised and criticised Foucault. Our understanding of gender, identity, sexuality and cultural politics will be radically altered in this meeting of transgressive figures.

"Foucault and Queer Theory" excels as a brief introduction to Foucault's compelling ideas and the development of queer culture with its own outspoken views on heteronormativity, sado-masochism, performativity, transgender, the end of gender, liberation-versus-difference, late capitalism and the impact of AIDS on theories and practices.

About the Author

Tamsin Spargo worked as an actor before taking up her current position as Senior Lecturer in Literary and Historical Studies at Liverpool John Moores University. She writes on religious writing, critical and cultural theory and desire.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Totem Books (October 25, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 184046092X
• ISBN-13: 978-1840460926
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #408,899 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars highly recommended., July 20, 2001

By	Paul W. Pope "Paul Pope" (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book provides an excellent overview of what has been grouped into "queer theory". It explains Foucault and the subsequent development of queer theories about various topics very concisely. The author discusses major contemporary thinkers like Judith Butler, and yet the prose and the layout remain straightforward and amazingly simple. No other queer theory book provides so much information in 80 pages.

By the way, anyone who likes the style of this book should check out the other brief and entertaining books in the "Postmodern Encounters" series.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Intro to Foucault and Queer Theory, September 24, 2000

By	Dr. Aeyal M. Gross (Tel-Aviv ISRAEL) - See all my reviews

Michel Foucault's work on sexuality was highly influential in the formation of Queer Theory. This short book gives a readable introduction to Foucault's complex argument, and to the ways in which this argument influenced Queer Theory. It is very succesful in conveying complex theoretical ideas in a clear way, and will be useful as an introduction to be read before, or after, reading Foucault and the ones influenced by him.