A History of Literary Criticism: From Plato to the PresentISBN: 978-0-631-23200-1
Hardcover
848 pages
October 2005, Wiley-Blackwell
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“[A] magnificently comprehensive history of literary
criticism. Authoritative, formidable, generous and compassionate
… Habib's achievements are many, but two stand out. The first
is the putting of theory into historical perspective and the second
is to make connections between criticism and
philosophy.”
Times Higher Education Supplement
"This is a book to be read cover to cover, and those who
undertake that happy task will be better informed. They will
understand the twin pillars of Western civilization, Hellenism and
the Judaic Christian ethic. They will understand the intersections
of philosophy, literature, and religion. They will understand
Plato, Aristotle, the Age of Enlightenment, Romanticism, and the
three great thinkers who forever shifted thought at the beginning
of the 20th century: Marx, Freud, and Darwin. Dividing the
discussion into eight chronological sections, from ancient Greece
to the 20th century, Habib (English, Rutgers Univ.) discusses each
period in detail, exploring major critical figures and their works
in a way that illuminates, rather than exhausts, the issues they
are concerned with. His explorations entice one to read more, and
that is the best kind of criticism. Summing Up: Essential. All
readers; all levels."
CHOICE
"Philosophically sophisticated and full of fascinating
connections and distinctions ...a monumental achievement."
Ron Bush, University of Oxford
“Rafey Habib's History of Literary Criticism, with
its substantial grounding in classical texts and its excellent
coverage of contemporary criticism and theory, is certain to be as
highly regarded as Wimsatt and Brooks' Literary Criticism: A
Short History. Habib's lucidity and wit will also make his book
highly teachable.”
Michael Payne, Bucknell University
"This huge undertaking offers a comprehensive, expository and
lucid account - including close readings of selected formative
texts - of the history of literary criticism and theory from the
earliest western classics to influential contemporary movements,
while also embedding these in their broader social, cultural and
philosophical contexts. A major resource - as narrative or as
compendium - for students at all levels."
Peter Widdowson, University of Gloucestershire
"Beginning with Plato and Aristotle, Habib traces how the study
of literature evolved in the West. His strength lies in his short
segments, which allow readers to absorb the major thoughts of the
critics and movements without being overwhelmed. While the book
runs nearly 900 pages, it is easy to maneuver. All told, Habib
delivers an accessible yet scholarly survey of literary
criticism."
Ron Ratliff, Kansas State University
“A History of Literary Criticism: From Plato to the
Present by M. A. R. Habib is a useful introduction and quick
reference … The attention to each writer and their major
works is significant and detailed, with major historical
interpretive shifts noted.”
Studies in English Literature 1500 - 1900
“Best single-volume introduction to Western literary
theory … .With its admirably clear explanation of concepts
and terminology, [it] admirably fulfils the promise of its
title.”
Literary Research Guide"Habib's survey of literary theory
and criticism is serious, ambitious, informative and intellectually
challenging." Bryn Mawr Classical Review