Customer Reviews
Good introduction to 'new' ideas in culture - By: PhilosopherKing, 18 Nov 2008 
Subjects such as literature & the history of art have undergone a revolution since the 1970s or thereabouts as many theories & techniques from other disciplines are now routinely used as approaches to discuss text.
This book contains a discussion of all the usual ideas e.g. Marxist, Semiotics, psychoanalysis, gender & so on.
I agree that some of these approaches may give one additional insight into a book or picture. I am sometimes sceptical of the use made of these ideas by some critics though & feel thatin the wrong hands they can lead to some bizarre & patently wrong interpretations. I think that they should only supplement & perhaps correct traditional approaches rather than replace them altogether.
A Useful Text - By: Ms. S. E. Baker, 18 Aug 2006 
This book has some great summary sections which are invaluable when revising & trying to learn key points of each theory. However Barry does tend to 'waffle' a bitin places, sometimes making it difficult to understand & there are some errorsin the book itself. But it is definately worth getting for the summaries alone, but make sure it is supported by another text.
Great book - By: , 29 Mar 2006 
As a student at Peter Barry's institution, The University of Wales, Aberystwyth I was pleased to find that one of my own tutors had written an accessible alternative to Rivkin & Ryan. This work serves as a fantastic introduction to literary theory & will please beginners & pros alike.
5 Stars! - By: , 04 Nov 2004 Peter Barry's book is very inspiring to read. I have brought many books to help grasp an understanding on literary theory but I have to say none have explained it quite as well as Peter Barry. Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary & Cultural Theory covers a wide range of areas, the language is simplistic & each theory is explained clearly & with examples. I have also gained a much better understanding on how Freudian interpretation works. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!
Book covers:
Liberal Humanism, Structuralism, Post-structuralism & deconstruction, Postmodernism, Psychoanalytic criticism, Feminist criticism, Lesbian/Gay criticism, Marxist criticism, New historicism & cultural materialism, Postcolonial criticism, Stylistics, Narratology & Ecocriticism.
an excellent introduction/refresher course - By: , 22 Sep 2003 This book provides a great introduction to the world of theory which often confuses first year literature students & puts them off the study of english. It explains, unlike other texts, how the concept of theory emerges. As a postgrad student, I was aware I needed to brush up on the dreaded theory so I picked up this introduction, & was pleasantly surprised. So much more accessible than Rivkin & Ryan!
