This Thing We Call Literature

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, Theory, Essays & Letters, Essays
Cover of the book This Thing We Call Literature by Arthur Krystal, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Arthur Krystal ISBN: 9780190272395
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: February 26, 2016
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Arthur Krystal
ISBN: 9780190272395
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: February 26, 2016
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

In his fourth book of essays, acclaimed cultural critic Arthur Krystal surveys the world of letters in its academic, literary, and populist incarnations--just to make sure those divisions still apply. What he finds is that the ground has shifted. With Lionel Trilling at his back, Krystal casts a cold eye on contemporary culture and discerns a lack of discrimination between the truly great and the merely good, and the fairly good and just plain bad. Critical but not angst-ridden, he deplores tunnel vision on both sides of the culture wars. Presumptive cultural boundaries have no place here. Krystal admires Bob Dylan and Elmore Leonard without including them in a purely literary pantheon. He endorses the Great Books without necessarily voting the Republican ticket. In essays about the meaning of the novel, the role of music in poetry, genre fiction vs. literary fiction, the contributions of the superlative critic Erich Auerbach, and the strange alliance of neurology and aesthetics, as well as in lighter pieces about reviewing and list-making, Krystal brings his own brand of discriminating intelligence to a spectrum of received opinions whose flaws and cracks otherwise go unnoticed.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In his fourth book of essays, acclaimed cultural critic Arthur Krystal surveys the world of letters in its academic, literary, and populist incarnations--just to make sure those divisions still apply. What he finds is that the ground has shifted. With Lionel Trilling at his back, Krystal casts a cold eye on contemporary culture and discerns a lack of discrimination between the truly great and the merely good, and the fairly good and just plain bad. Critical but not angst-ridden, he deplores tunnel vision on both sides of the culture wars. Presumptive cultural boundaries have no place here. Krystal admires Bob Dylan and Elmore Leonard without including them in a purely literary pantheon. He endorses the Great Books without necessarily voting the Republican ticket. In essays about the meaning of the novel, the role of music in poetry, genre fiction vs. literary fiction, the contributions of the superlative critic Erich Auerbach, and the strange alliance of neurology and aesthetics, as well as in lighter pieces about reviewing and list-making, Krystal brings his own brand of discriminating intelligence to a spectrum of received opinions whose flaws and cracks otherwise go unnoticed.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book America in 1857 by Arthur Krystal
Cover of the book Florence: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Arthur Krystal
Cover of the book The New Turkey and Its Discontents by Arthur Krystal
Cover of the book A Future in Ruins by Arthur Krystal
Cover of the book Saving Souls, Serving Society by Arthur Krystal
Cover of the book Critical Theory: A Very Short Introduction by Arthur Krystal
Cover of the book One Islam, Many Muslim Worlds by Arthur Krystal
Cover of the book Biosocial Criminology: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Arthur Krystal
Cover of the book Heaven Can Wait by Arthur Krystal
Cover of the book Montaigne and the Tolerance of Politics by Arthur Krystal
Cover of the book Violence at the Urban Margins by Arthur Krystal
Cover of the book Complementary and Integrative Therapies for Mental Health and Aging by Arthur Krystal
Cover of the book Why Good People Do Bad Environmental Things by Arthur Krystal
Cover of the book Family Relationships by Arthur Krystal
Cover of the book The Domestic Abroad by Arthur Krystal
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy