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The Irresponsible Self - On Laughter And The Novel

by James Wood
$6.06
The Irresponsible Self - On Laughter And The Novel - Thryft
The Irresponsible Self - On Laughter And The Novel - Thryft

Wry and witty exploration of literary criticism.

Recommendation: The Irresponsible Self takes a refreshing and amusing approach to critiquing literary classics. James Wood's commentary on authors like Shakespeare and Cervantes is sharp and thought-provoking, making this book an enjoyable read for anyone interested in literature and criticism.

  • National Book Critics Circle Award Nominee for Criticism (2004)
Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

The Irresponsible Self - On Laughter And The Novel

by James Wood
$6.06
ISBN: 9780374177379
Authors: James Wood
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Date of Publication: 2004-06-16
Format: Hardcover
Related Collections: Creative Nonfiction, Philosophy
Related Topics: Essays
Goodreads rating: 4.12
(rated by 250 readers)

Description

James Wood's first book of essays, The Broken Estate , established him as the leading critic of his generation, one whose judgments "are distinguished by their originality and precision, the depth of reading that informs them, and the metaphorical richness of their language" ( Harper's ). Its successor, The Irresponsible Self , confirms Wood's preeminence, not only as a discerning judge but also as an appreciator of novels, with a special interest in the ways they make us laugh. In twenty-three passionate, sparkling dispatches, he defends what he calls "secular comedy"-human, tragicomic, forgiving, bound up with the very origins of the novel -against the narrower "religious comedy" of satire and farce, which is corrective, punitive, and theatrical. Ranging over such crucial comic writers as Cervantes, Shakespeare, Dostoevsky, Waugh, Bellow, and Naipaul, Wood offers a broad history of comedy while examining each chosen writer with his customary care and intense focus. This collection (which includes Wood's much-discussed attack on "hysterical realism") is indispensable reading for anyone who cares about modern fiction or criticism today.
Condition guide

Book Condition Guide

Books in Like New Condition

This book may contain very minor cosmetic defects, but it is in pristine condition. There should be no yellowing, no foxing, no water damage, and no annotations of any kind on the cover and the pages. For paperbacks, there should not be any crease marks on the spine. This book is good as new — lucky you!

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Very Good Condition

This book has been used, but it is still in a clean condition. There should be no foxing or annotations of any kind on the inner pages, but a sparse amount may be present on the cover, title pages, or outside edges of the book. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be light crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Good Condition

We do our best to ensure the quality of our books, but there is no escaping the wear and tear that comes with time. Slight foxing and some annotations may be present on the pages and the cover. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be several crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Well Read Condition

This is a well-read book, which means that the previous owner probably really enjoyed it! The cover and pages may include moderate foxing and annotations, but the text is not obscured and still readable. Moderate cosmetic defects and minor water damage may be present on the edges of the book. For paperbacks, there may be multiple crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

 

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Similar Reads

Wry and witty exploration of literary criticism.

Recommendation: The Irresponsible Self takes a refreshing and amusing approach to critiquing literary classics. James Wood's commentary on authors like Shakespeare and Cervantes is sharp and thought-provoking, making this book an enjoyable read for anyone interested in literature and criticism.

  • National Book Critics Circle Award Nominee for Criticism (2004)
Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.