Reviews

Critical Theory Today: A User-Friendly Guide by Lois Tyson

dnietoperafan's review against another edition

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5.0

I have never fallen in love with a textbook, until now. Tyson has to be the most user-friendly academic in the world. When I tell you that all the chapters (even post-structuralism) were so easy to understand! The way in which Tyson grabs your hand and takes you through so many different literary critical theories with such ease is mental. I actually, kinda want to buy myself a copy (I read the library's one) just to have it in my library.

madd_eye_moody's review

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challenging informative medium-paced

4.5

madzie's review

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informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

This book is exactly what it advertises: a very informative and user-friendly breakdown of popular critical theories. Though it is perhaps a little dated now, it is still an excellent book to gain a foundation of the theories.

jhoover's review against another edition

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4.0

Pretty straightforward and good overview of different theories. Felt like a lot of retread to me of things I already know and sections like about things like CRT felt clunky in light of 2020, but I suppose thats unavoidable.

zezee's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

5.0

thenorwegianprince's review against another edition

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4.0

This was a generally interesting overview of critical theory. The postcolonial theory section is very dated, but the rest of the book was generally much more positive.

stilldirty's review against another edition

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2.0

★★☆☆☆ — Two stars because it's very informative, just not very useful. Imagine reading a chapters-long flowery essay about critical thinking. Meh.

jnjones's review against another edition

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challenging informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.75

haileyjohnson's review

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had to read for english class and WILL be using towards my reading goal

milliemuroi's review against another edition

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5.0

One of my Literature teachers recommended this book to us a while back at a PACES program and I've been slowly getting through it over the course of the year. This is by far the best Literature theory book I've read (though my readings in that realm are still rather narrow). Lois Tyson is thorough in her explanations and citations, yet so adept as to what information she should provide (and how it is provided) to the reader in order to maintain explanations that are clear and concise. I loved her application of each literary theory to The Great Gatsby at the end of each chapter; readings which are insightful, engaging, and elucidate each theory so well.
I didn't think I could love English Lit much more than I already do, but Tyson has shattered that belief for me and I absolutely cannot wait to continue studying Literature!