If the author is 'dead', if feminism is 'post-', why does the figure of the woman author keep appearing as a central character in contemporary fiction? She is concerned with ownership but, equally, with loss; determined to enter the cultural field but also rejecting that field; looking for control but subject to duplicity; seeking power alongside desire. Drawing on a diverse range of contemporary authors - including Atwood, Byatt, Brookner, Coetzee, Lurie, LeGuin, Michele Roberts, Shields, Spark, Weldon, and Walker - this study explores the complexity and continuing fascination of this figure.

"The Concise Companion to Feminist Theory" introduces readers to the broad scope of feminist theory over the last 35 years.
Introduces readers to the broad scope of feminist theory over the past 35 years.
Guides students along the cutting edge of current feminist theory.
Suitable for students and scholars of all fields touched by feminist thought.
Covers an exceptionally broad range of disciplines, discourses and feminist positions.
Organised around concepts rather than schools of feminism.

If the author is 'dead', if feminism is 'post-', why does the figure of the woman author keep appearing as a central character in contemporary fiction? She is concerned with ownership but, equally, with loss; determined to enter the cultural field but also rejecting that field; looking for control but subject to duplicity; seeking power alongside desire. Drawing on a diverse range of contemporary authors - including Atwood, Byatt, Brookner, Coetzee, Lurie, LeGuin, Michele Roberts, Shields, Spark, Weldon, Walker - this study explores the complexity and continuing fascination of this figure.

"A Concise Companion to Feminist Theory" introduces readers to the broad scope of feminist theory over the past 35 years. Comprising twelve original chapters, written by authors with extensive experience of both the theory and practice of feminism, it treats feminism as both a political project and an intellectual discourse.

The "Companion" represents an exceptionally broad range of disciplines, discourses and feminist positions, particularly showcasing those on the cutting edge of feminist scholarship. It provides not only a concise survey of the relevant fields and their histories, but also an insight into the unresolved issues that form feminism's future. The material is organised around topics, rather than schools of feminism, encouraging readers to synthesise different approaches. A select bibliography acts as an initial introduction to the field, while longer bibliographies relating to each chapter provide guidance for further study.

Using the concepts and practices of feminist literary criticism, this constantly challenging workbook not only makes the connection between women's writing and women's lives but breaks new ground in enabling students to apply critical concepts and to feel more at ease with the texts common to feminist literary theory. Based on extraordinarily wide-ranging material gathered over many years by the UK's leading specialist, the workbook embodies the best of current teaching in this field.

The emphasis throughout the workbook is on taking the reader more deeply into the issues raised, rather than on finding "correct" answers. Active participation is stimulated as the reader is asked to investigate, discuss and evaluate the exciting and representative texts presented by the author. Each clearly-focused section:
engages the reader with direct questions and specific tasks.
provides a rich variety of materials and approaches.
includes suggestions for further reading and research.

Working with Feminist Criticism will be essential reading for students of Literary Theory, Women's Studies and Cultural Studies and an indispensable tool for teachers. Integrated into taught courses, it will provide an excellent basis for seminar discussion and small group activities.

Now in its third edition, Feminist Literary Theory remains the most comprehensive, single volume introduction to a vital and diverse field * Fully revised and updated to reflect changes in the field over the last decade * Includes extracts from all the major critics, critical approaches and theoretical positions in contemporary feminist literary studies * Features a new section, Writing 'Glocal', which covers feminism's dialogue with postcolonial, global and spatial studies * Revised chapter introductions provide readers with helpful contextual information while extensive notes offer recommendations for further reading