Against deconstruction /

The first scrupulously logical and thorough attempt in English at examining and evaluating the central claims of deconstruction. Ellis gives a detailed analysis of Derrida's reading of Saussure and shows that Derrida's critique of the essentialist views of langugae and meaning not only is incoherent but fails to take advantage of the advances made in the debate on essentialist thinking in various disciples. He then examines deconstruction's impact on the theory and practice of criticism, argues that deconstruction's central claims are no more than reformulations of the commonplace assertions of traditional literary criticism, and finally exposes what he considers to be the sources of deconstruction's emotional appeal to many contemporary critics. No one who wishes to advance beyond the frequently unreflective attacks and counterattacks by deconstruction's detractors and admirers can afford to neglect this book. Highly recommended for all undergraduate and graduate libraries. -S. Raval, University of Arizona