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A review by franzis_buecher
Sexual/Textual Politics: Feminist Literary Theory by Toril Moi
4.0
This was at times really challenging to read but I learned so much while reading. I read this for uni and it made me reflect on how I haven't really invested much time in theory like this other than when I did research for term papers. It thus inspired me to want to read more feminist theory in the future, not only because I believe it will help me academically, but also because it will help me understand myself and my own position in this world.
Regarding the structure of this book, I wish the introduction had been published as an essay outside of this work since it did not feel like an introduction to me and almost made me put down the book. I also am glad that I read the 2002 edition with the new afterword, since the original text was published in 1985 and I was thus curious to see how Moi viewed her book in retrospect. As she also points out, it starts with a focus on literary theory and then shifts towards an analysis of more philosophical and psychoanalytic feminist theory, while still being concerned with 'writing' etc. Moi analyses and subsequently criticizes the main Anglo-American and French theorists of her time, which serves as a good introduction to any of those theorists, such as Kate Millet, Elaine Showalter, Luce Irigaray or Julia Kristeva. I did not know many of these theorists before, so this was the first time I read about their theories in such detail. However, I do think one needs to keep in mind, as with all books, that the discussion of these theorists is influenced by Moi's own views and position in the field.
Regarding the structure of this book, I wish the introduction had been published as an essay outside of this work since it did not feel like an introduction to me and almost made me put down the book. I also am glad that I read the 2002 edition with the new afterword, since the original text was published in 1985 and I was thus curious to see how Moi viewed her book in retrospect. As she also points out, it starts with a focus on literary theory and then shifts towards an analysis of more philosophical and psychoanalytic feminist theory, while still being concerned with 'writing' etc. Moi analyses and subsequently criticizes the main Anglo-American and French theorists of her time, which serves as a good introduction to any of those theorists, such as Kate Millet, Elaine Showalter, Luce Irigaray or Julia Kristeva. I did not know many of these theorists before, so this was the first time I read about their theories in such detail. However, I do think one needs to keep in mind, as with all books, that the discussion of these theorists is influenced by Moi's own views and position in the field.