Beginning Theory

An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory: Fourth Edition

By: Peter Barry

Narrated by: Lucy Scott

Beginning Theory has been helping students navigate through the thickets of literary and cultural theory for over two decades. This new and expanded fourth edition continues to offer listeners the best single-volume introduction to the field. The bewildering variety of approaches, theorists and technical language is lucidly and expertly unravelled.

Unlike many books which assume certain positions about the critics and the theories they represent, Beginning Theory allows listeners to develop their own ideas once first principles and concepts have been grasped. The book has been updated to include a new introduction, expanded chapters, and an overview of the subject ('Theory after "Theory"') which maps the arrival of new "isms" since the second edition appeared in 2002 and the third edition in 2009.

Download the accompanying reference guide.©2017 Peter Barry (P)2021 Manchester University Press

A perfect introduction to literary theory

All the major movements in literary theory are covered with clarity and verve. An essential guide with plenty of resources for going further.

Challenging read

The book was interesting at times and very dense and hard to get through at other times.