A Dictionary of Postmodernism - Paperback

by Niall Lucy (Author)

A Dictionary of Postmodernism presents an authoritative A-Z of the critical terms and central figures related to the origins and evolution of postmodernist theory and culture.

• Explores the names and ideas that have come to define the postmodern condition - from Baudrillard, Jameson, and Lyotard, to the concepts of deconstruction, meta-narrative, and simulation - alongside less canonical topics such as dialogue and punk
• Includes essays by the late Niall Lucy, a leading expert in postmodernism studies, and by other noted scholars who came together to complete and expand upon his last work
• Spans a kaleidoscope of postmodernism perspectives, addressing its lovers and haters; its movers and shakers such as Derrida; its origins in modernism and semiotics, and its outlook for the future
• Features a series of brief essays rather than fixed definitions of the key ideas and arguments
• Engaging and thought-provoking, this is at once a scholarly guide and enduring reference for the field

Back Jacket

For many, postmodernism is notoriously resistant to definition, but this does not mean its key terms, concepts, figures and issues cannot be explained. A Dictionary of Postmodernism is an authoritative guide to the critical terms and central figures at the heart of postmodernist theory and culture. Offering a series of brief essays rather than strict 'definitions', chapters illuminate the names and ideas that have come to define the postmodern condition - from canonical figures including Baudrillard, Jameson, and Lyotard, to the concepts of deconstruction, metanarrative, and simulation - alongside less canonical topics ranging from dialogue to punk.

At once a scholarly guide and enduring reference for the field, chapters provide a kaleidoscope of postmodernism perspectives - addressing its lovers (Barthes, Eco, and Hassan) and haters (Habermas, the Sokal affair); its movers (Deleuze and Guattari) and shakers (Derrida); its origins (modernism, semiotics) and outlook for the future (dialogue, globalization). Engaging and thought-provoking, A Dictionary of Postmodernism deftly reveals how there is more to postmodern theory than 'definitions' -and so much more to postmodern culture than 'depthlessness'.

Author Biography

Niall Lucy was Professor of Critical Theory at Curtin University and founding co-editor of the international journal. His books include Literary Theory: An Introduction (Wiley Blackwell, 1997), A Derrida Dictionary (Wiley Blackwell, 2004), and Pomo Oz: Fear and Loathing Downunder (2010). A leading figure in and postmodernism, Lucy died in 2014.