In the Reading Gaol Postmodernity, Texts, and History

"[A] spirited, funny and heartfelt response to academic criticism's loss of history... Cunningham analyses with learning and awesome energy and persistence many of the great deconstructive truisms ... acrobatic, allusive, anecdotal, rigorous and playful by turns - a virtuoso performance of the role of the reader, in fact, which goes a very long way to establish the very freedom theory likes to claim for readers." Observer"The close and detailed reading is often brilliantly perceptive and original. Let me end by commending and recommending this book. It gives an impressively clear and comprehensive account of the various theoretical issues raised during the past twenty years; it is full of intelligence and insight; and there is some exemplary close reading." Professor Tony Tanner, University of Cambridge"An impressively clear and comprehensive account of the various theoretical issues raised during the past twenty years; it is full of intelligence and insight; and there is some exemplary close reading." Times Literary Supplement"Cunningham provides a welcome antidote to what theorists have perpetrated on Saussure and goes on to expose much of Derrida, de Man and the new historicists and cultural materialists... Among the beauties of this well documented work (more than 400 notes and critical references) are the insights provided by the practical application of theory ... This well-written (even manifesting a graceful, ludic spirit) and incisive study of 'postmodern' literary theory and practice will be a welcome read for graduate students, faculty, and professionals faced with our current maze of literary theory." ChoiceCunningham, Valentine is the author of 'In the Reading Gaol Postmodernity, Texts, and History', published 2003 under ISBN 9780631151982 and ISBN 0631151982.