The Problem of Literary Value

The book explores the vexed status of literary value, proposing a pragmatic approach to reconcile its inevitability with our wariness of its uncertainties and complicities. It offers a preliminary theory of literary valuing and explores the problem of literary value in respect to the literary edition, canonicity, and interpretation, using Chaucer studies as a synecdoche.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2023
Publisher: Manchester University Press

The book delves into the complex and multifaceted nature of literary value, challenging the traditional approaches that either defend its inherent worth or critique its ideological implications. Instead, it takes a pragmatic stance, focusing on the everyday scholarly and pedagogical practices that engage with literary value. The author argues that the category of literary value is inescapable and proposes ways to reconcile its inevitability with the uncertainties and complicities it entails. The book explores the problem of literary value in various contexts, including the literary edition, canonicity, and interpretation. It primarily focuses on Chaucer studies, which offer a unique lens through which to examine the challenges and complexities surrounding literary value. By drawing on Chaucer's simultaneous canonicity and marginality, the book seeks to establish a solid foundation for literary studies in general. Additionally, an electronic edition of the book is available under a Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND) licence, making it accessible to a wide audience.

Weight: 474g
Dimension: 223 x 147 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526167941