Derrida: A Guide for the Perplexed

Guides for the Perplexed

by Julian Wolfreys

Continuum's Guides for the Perplexed are clear, concise and accessible introductions to thinkers, writers and subjects that students and readers can find especially challenging. Concentrating specifically on what it is that makes the subject difficult to grasp, these books explain and explore key themes and ideas, guiding the reader towards a thorough understanding of demanding material. Jacques Derrida is one of the most important thinkers of the twentieth century. His writings, his lectures and his involvement in a number of political causes have transformed the way in which literature and cultural studies are taught, yet his work has often met with incomprehension, hostility and fear. This guide provides students with a clear, unintimidating introduction to Derrida, the key concepts and ideas associated with his work and the major subjects be addresses. Without assuming any prior knowledge of Derrida's work or literary theory more widely, the guide introduces Derrida's ideas, work, reception and his wider philosophical and critical influence.

About the Author:
Julian Wolfreys is Senior Lecturer of Victorian Literary and Cultural Studies at Loughborough University, UK

Genres: Philosophy

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Johannes Bertus · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worth a read if you are interested in the size of Wolfrey's vocabulary, but not if you want to understand Derrida. Even the poor person who edited the manuscript was apparently left more perplexed by this word salad - many sentences don't form logical units, paragraphs meander and stumble aimlessly. That must be language, in Wolfrey's words, "falling prey to its own auto-recuperative ineluctability".

[Lazarus P Badpenny Esq · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had hoped to emerge under-plexed (de-plexed, ex-plexed even) yet the ratio of Wolfrey's guff to guile was way too wafery for me.

[Burl Horniachek · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is more of an imitation of Derrida (lots of obscure verbal hijinks) than a clear and helpful explanation of what he was up to.