An Introduction to Queer Literary Studies: Reading Queerly

An Introduction to Queer Literary Studies: Reading Queerly provides an accessible introduction to queer theory for students of literature, tracing the emergence of queer theory from gay and lesbian studies and exploring its theoretical treatments of sexual identity, gender, and sexual norms, negativity and utopianism, economics and neoliberalism, and AIDS activism and disability. It offers readings of primary texts and demonstrates how queer reading methods work alongside other methods like feminism, historicism, deconstruction, and psychoanalysis, inviting literature students to develop queer readings of their own and emphasizing that reading queerly is not simply a matter of reading work written by queer people.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 01 November 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

An Introduction to Queer Literary Studies: Reading Queerly is a groundbreaking primer on queer theory, tailored specifically for students of literature. This comprehensive book traces the evolution of queer theory from its roots in gay and lesbian studies, highlighting the unique perspective of queer scholars in their interpretation of renowned English language works.

The text is organized thematically, delving into diverse aspects of queer theory, including sexual identity, gender and sexual norms, negativity and utopianism, economics and neoliberalism, and AIDS activism and disability. Each chapter expounds upon foundational works by renowned scholars such as Michel Foucault, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, and Lee Edelman, while also offering readings of primary texts, spanning from the canonical to contemporary popular fiction. Throughout, An Introduction to Queer Literary Studies: Reading Queerly showcases the interplay between queer reading methods and other analytical frameworks such as feminism, historicism, deconstruction, and psychoanalysis. By modeling queer readings, the book encourages literature students to develop their own unique interpretations and perspectives. Moreover, it emphasizes that queer reading extends beyond the mere consumption of work written by queer individuals, as it attunes us to the inherent queerness present even in the most seemingly straightforward texts. This insightful and thought-provoking introduction serves as a valuable resource for students seeking to explore the complex and evolving field of queer literary studies.

Weight: 570g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367678104