Review by Choice Review
Grace has provided a very rich cross-examination of feminist theory and the work of Jean Baudrillard. As a critical reading of this seminal theorist, and of feminist theorists such as Luce Irigiray, Judith Butler, and Donna Haraway, this book illuminates the assumptions and epistemological and political theories embedded in each theorist's major texts. Grace has anchored the work in other scholarship on, and critiques of, Baudrillard, which may be especially useful to new scholars who wish to understand the core arguments and contexts of his work. In particular, Baudrillard's definitions of ideology, simulation, the hyper-real, seduction, reversion, and dissolution are worked through in their own chapters, in the context of feminist theorists who either critique or rely on these concepts. Grace's own arguments are rather underdeveloped. While she does significant work in pointing out places where feminist theorists have misrepresented Baudrillard's work, it sometimes is not as clear exactly how his work can advance feminist theories or causes. Useful for graduate students and researchers in cultural studies, gender and feminist theory, and literary theory more generally. J. L. Croissant University of Arizona
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
