Genres in Discourse [Paperback]

A translation of recent essays by the eminent literary critic, Tzvelan Todorov.A collection in translation of recent essays by one of the most eminent contemporary literary critics concentrates on defining genre, literary and otherwise, in order to better examine individual authors.A collection in translation of recent essays by one of the most eminent contemporary literary critics concentrates on defining genre, literary and otherwise, in order to better examine individual authors.This is a collection in translation of recent essays by Tzvetan Todorov, one of the most eminent of today's literary critics. The essays concentrate on the idea of genre, literary or otherwise, and asks such questions as: What is literature? What is genre? Which are the major literary genres? In the first section, Todorov proposes definitions for the notions of literature, discourse, and genre. Following is a general discussion of the two principal literary genres, fiction and poetry. Finally, in the third section of essays, Todorov examines individual authors as case studies: among them Poe, Dostoyevsky, Baudelaire, Conrad, and James.Prefatory note; Part I: 1. The notions of literature; 2. The origin of genres; Part II: 3. The two principles of narrative; 4. Reading as construction; 5. A poetic novel; 6. Poetry without verse; Part III: 7. Notes from the Underground; 8. The limits of Edgar Poe; 9. Heart of Darkness; 10. The Awkward Age; Index. Although Todorov is operating within the realm of high theory, he constructs most arguments from meticulous readings of individual texts. Unlike the bravura gestures of critics such as Harold Bloom, Todorov's close readings are quieter. Like embroidery examined with a magnifying glass, they impress by their intricacy and refinement....he is amazing. Village Voice