What do you think?
Rate this book
The Bible & the Reader : An Introduction to Literary Criticism
Paperback. Very good. Laminated wrappers, previous owner's stamp.
147 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
4 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
Shelved as 'abandoned'
July 30, 2023DNF at page 23.
For "An Introduction to Literary Criticism," McKnight assumes the reader is familiar with a fair deal of jargon: historicism, poetics, structure v. form, etc. His explanation of structuralism was hollow. I think I understand it less after than before.
Robert Detweiler's review on the backside claims that this book "should be a great help to biblical scholars seeking to acquaint themselves with this confusing array of stances and methods." Is the book introductory or for people with background in the subject?
I can't properly rate the book considering I didn't finish and that it wasn't what I expected - giving it a review for being MORE than anticipated is unfair.
Not all of the book deals explicitly with Biblical criticism, so if you're uninterested in the topic you could still get something out of it. But if you want a true intro I recommend the Yale Lecture on Literary Theory, on YouTube.
Read if you are somewhat versed in literary theory or have interest in reader-oriented critical theories.
Don't read if you're looking for a "start from zero" introduction or expect lucid prose. This book is far from an "Explain It Like I'm Five" work.
For "An Introduction to Literary Criticism," McKnight assumes the reader is familiar with a fair deal of jargon: historicism, poetics, structure v. form, etc. His explanation of structuralism was hollow. I think I understand it less after than before.
Robert Detweiler's review on the backside claims that this book "should be a great help to biblical scholars seeking to acquaint themselves with this confusing array of stances and methods." Is the book introductory or for people with background in the subject?
I can't properly rate the book considering I didn't finish and that it wasn't what I expected - giving it a review for being MORE than anticipated is unfair.
Not all of the book deals explicitly with Biblical criticism, so if you're uninterested in the topic you could still get something out of it. But if you want a true intro I recommend the Yale Lecture on Literary Theory, on YouTube.
Read if you are somewhat versed in literary theory or have interest in reader-oriented critical theories.
Don't read if you're looking for a "start from zero" introduction or expect lucid prose. This book is far from an "Explain It Like I'm Five" work.
Displaying 1 of 1 review
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.