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Reviews
Postmodernism for Beginners by Ziauddin Sardar, Christ Garratt, Patrick Curry, Richard Appignanesi
culturenator's review
3.0
This book although an introduction to post modernism tries to cram way to much in and therefore left me feeling overwhelmed and feeling like I knew even less than before! Although it gave some insight I felt like it spread itself too thin in an attempt to cover all bases. The cartoons were also a bit annoying and pointless at times - the space could've been better used with clearer explanations of certain areas.
ironi's review
4.0
This book is pretty interesting. I thought I knew what postmodernism was but this book made me realize I actually have no idea.
As an introduction, I'm not sure how good it is. It's not easy to read. I had to google some stuff because his explanations weren't clear or extensive enough. I disliked how he introduces a phrase once and then immediately begins using it. It's pretty confusing.
Nonetheless, I learned loads. It's a good introduction in the sense that it shows a lot of sides of postmodernism. Definitely going to reread it someday.
Conclusion: post modernism is depressing and the future is going downhill (like anyone wants an enlightenment comeback, Kant was unrealistic as hell).
As an introduction, I'm not sure how good it is. It's not easy to read. I had to google some stuff because his explanations weren't clear or extensive enough. I disliked how he introduces a phrase once and then immediately begins using it. It's pretty confusing.
Nonetheless, I learned loads. It's a good introduction in the sense that it shows a lot of sides of postmodernism. Definitely going to reread it someday.
Conclusion: post modernism is depressing and the future is going downhill (like anyone wants an enlightenment comeback, Kant was unrealistic as hell).
andyogm's review
4.0
Still confused but this book provided a lot of things to think about. Well put together and worth reading. Good introduction (as always with this series).
sinelce's review
Postmodernism - quite like times we live in - pretty much calls to mind the old idiom “it was like a train wreck: you didn’t want to stare, but you couldn’t bare to look away”.
This nifty intro isn’t a slog by any means, in fact it’s incredibly illuminating. I’d even go as far as saying that every thinking person (specifically those embarking on any length of study in the arts) should read this book. It might just save you endless hours of confusion.
P.s. Derrida was nowhere near as wanky as he was made out to be during my undergrad
This nifty intro isn’t a slog by any means, in fact it’s incredibly illuminating. I’d even go as far as saying that every thinking person (specifically those embarking on any length of study in the arts) should read this book. It might just save you endless hours of confusion.
P.s. Derrida was nowhere near as wanky as he was made out to be during my undergrad
edders's review
1.0
I understand that, because there is a lot within postmodernism I dislike, I will naturally review anything about postmoderism lower than other books on different subjects.
Here the distinctive style of this series is detrimental. Postmodernism is the most confusing field I have ever read about, even when it is presented clearly. I am sure I read the VSI on it and thought I had a hold on it, but after reading this I feel lost in a deeply irritating minefield of bullshit.
When previously reading in this series about semiotics I sometimes struggled to understand but for the most part it was clear. There seemed a progression and structure to the teaching arguments made and I felt I arrived at some interesting insight into semiotics and linguistics. This time around the same fast paced style, dense with cartoons and references and quick changes of tack left me feeling adrift at sea with no markers in sight. Postmodern language is already stupidly inaccessible and I really struggle with the writing style employed by the biggest postmodern names. To then blast through name after name - to hop back and forward in theme, topic and delivery - was too much too soon.
In their attempt to introduce all of postmodernism they drown the reader. Despite covering everything quickly, this is not for beginners. If this was actually for beginners it would be more gentle.
There are some interesting points made but the parts I understood were few and far between. A field as inaccessible and difficult - elusive, even - as postmodernism should not have been covered in this way. And despite acknowledging some of the central elements of postmodernism - exercising doubt about what we thought we knew about the past, for instance - it does not hold true to them, despite very obviously being a postmodern bit of writing.
Would not recommend to anyone. Wrong delivery for the subject and incorrect approach.
Here the distinctive style of this series is detrimental. Postmodernism is the most confusing field I have ever read about, even when it is presented clearly. I am sure I read the VSI on it and thought I had a hold on it, but after reading this I feel lost in a deeply irritating minefield of bullshit.
When previously reading in this series about semiotics I sometimes struggled to understand but for the most part it was clear. There seemed a progression and structure to the teaching arguments made and I felt I arrived at some interesting insight into semiotics and linguistics. This time around the same fast paced style, dense with cartoons and references and quick changes of tack left me feeling adrift at sea with no markers in sight. Postmodern language is already stupidly inaccessible and I really struggle with the writing style employed by the biggest postmodern names. To then blast through name after name - to hop back and forward in theme, topic and delivery - was too much too soon.
In their attempt to introduce all of postmodernism they drown the reader. Despite covering everything quickly, this is not for beginners. If this was actually for beginners it would be more gentle.
There are some interesting points made but the parts I understood were few and far between. A field as inaccessible and difficult - elusive, even - as postmodernism should not have been covered in this way. And despite acknowledging some of the central elements of postmodernism - exercising doubt about what we thought we knew about the past, for instance - it does not hold true to them, despite very obviously being a postmodern bit of writing.
Would not recommend to anyone. Wrong delivery for the subject and incorrect approach.
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