Bloomsbury Julia Kristeva: Live Theory

About the Author John Lechte is Professor of Sociology at Macquarie University, Sydney. He has published widely on French thought, particularly the work of Julia Kristeva. His most recent books are: Genealogy and Ontology of the Western Image and its Digital Future (2012) and he co-authored Agamben and the Politics of Human Rights: Statelessness, Images, Violence (2013). He has also published key essays on the thought of Georges Bataille, Julia Kristeva, Giorgio Agamben and Hannah Arendt, as well as on Derrida.Maria Margaroni lectures at the University of Cyprus. Product Description This innovative introductory text not only clearly explains Kristeva's most difficult ideas, but also provides new insights into her work. All Kristeva's key concepts are clearly explained, and new interpretations are offered of the "chora," "Oedipus" and "abjection," as well as "revolt" and the "feminine genius." Kristeva's intellectual development is set in historical and political context and the creative power of her work is also highlighted. Finally, the original interview reveals Kristeva's true intellectual and political aspirations. Review '...sociologist John Lechte now successfully collaborates with cultural and literary theorist Maria Margaroni to reassess Kristeva's early work and to explore the new directions and socio-political concerns of her more recent work.' The European Legacy 11, (4): 2006--Sanford Lakoff'Julia Kristeva: Live Theory is another fine contribution to Continuum's 'Live Theory' series....Lechte and Margaroni succeed in challenging the popular view that the only route into a theorist's work is through the theorist her/himself. This is because the volume they offer does an excellent job of simplifying - and consolidating - to a considerable extent many of Kristeva's often obscure and convoluted ideas. I found particularly sharp, cogent and regarding John Lechte's interview with Julia Kristeva....this is a remarkably exhilarating book, greater than the sum of its parts, producing an intense conversational space that will easily draw in the perceptive specialist reader.' Akinbola E. Akinwumi, Political Studies Review, 2006, 4 (3)