This book is the first in-depth monograph on one of the most celebrated German literary theoristsof the 20th century. Via an accessible analysis of Iser s complete English and German writings, this study explains his acclaimed reception theory and connects the famous notions of blanks and the implied reader to his earlier and later work on English literature and literary anthropology. Iser s views are also compared to those of related thinkers like Hans Blumenberg and illustrated with examples from contemporary authors like Hilary Mantel.

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What are the key issues in contemporary literary studies? What notion of 'history' is appropriate for today's study of 'modern' (post-1800) literature? How can we best understand the recent transition from theory to literary history? In 20 chapters, this book both probes and answers these questions, and more, emphasising the importance of literary history to current critical thinking.
Literature Now provides a thought-provoking argument as well as an authoritative exploration of the key terms of literary studies. It will appeal to anyone who wants to epxlore theoretical issues from a...

What are the key issues in contemporary literary studies? What notion of 'history' is appropriate for today's study of 'modern' (post-1800) literature? How can we best understand the recent transition from theory to literary history? In 20 chapters, this book both probes and answers these questions, and more, emphasising the importance of literary history to current critical thinking.
Literature Now provides a thought-provoking argument as well as an authoritative exploration of the key terms of literary studies. It will appeal to anyone who wants to epxlore theoretical issues from a...