From Library Journal

Published in France in 1969, this substantial addition to the "Theory and History of Literature" series could more readily be described as philosophy. Blanchot, a noted French literary critic who is as conversant with German literary philosophy as with French, has addressed the primary issues dealt with by literary scholars today: the nature of language, the narrative voice, the imaginary, nihilism, and the influence of religious thought. He uses examples ranging from Heraclitus to Pascal, Simone Weil, and Robert Antelme and launches into a major chapter on Nietzsche. Other writers that merit serious discussion are Camus, Kafka, Georges Bataille, Sade, Artaud, Rene Char, Flaubert, Roussel, Novalis, and Breton. While well written, this dense tome will find its audience only among literary scholars, theorists, and critics.

Recommended for academic libraries.

- Ann Irvine, Montgomery Cty. P.L., Md.