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The Pooh Perplex Paperback – Illustrated, Feb. 14 2003
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In this devastatingly funny classic, Frederick Crews skewers the ego-inflated pretensions of the schools and practitioners of literary criticism popular in the 1960s, including Freudians, Aristotelians, and New Critics. Modeled on the "casebooks" often used in freshman English classes at the time, The Pooh Perplex contains twelve essays written in different critical voices, complete with ridiculous footnotes, tongue-in-cheek "questions and study projects," and hilarious biographical notes on the contributors. This edition contains a new preface by the author that compares literary theory then and now and identifies some of the real-life critics who were spoofed in certain chapters.
- Print length164 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherUniversity of Chicago Press
- Publication dateFeb. 14 2003
- Dimensions13.34 x 1.52 x 20.32 cm
- ISBN-100226120589
- ISBN-13978-0226120584
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"A rather gentle lampoon of literary criticism." -- Carole Cadwalladr ― The Guardian Published On: 2006-08-07
"That rare find—a genuine satire. It is devastating, diabolical, and delightful." ― Hartford Times
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- Publisher : University of Chicago Press
- Publication date : Feb. 14 2003
- Edition : 1st
- Language : English
- Print length : 164 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0226120589
- ISBN-13 : 978-0226120584
- Item weight : 181 g
- Dimensions : 13.34 x 1.52 x 20.32 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: #640,178 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #133 in Children's Literary History & Criticism
- #663 in British & Irish Literary History & Criticism
- #2,338 in Literary Criticism & Theory
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- Reviewed in Canada on April 9, 2003Format: PaperbackI ran across a reference to Postmodern Pooh about a week ago, and I decided to read Crews' first Pooh satire before reading the latest. What a gas! Crews takes the prevalent methods of literary criticism leading up to the 1960s and apes them with a deft touch. One of my favorite moments was when "C. J. L. Culpepper, D.Litt., Oxon.," after determining the Christic nature of Eeyore, declares that Christopher Robin is a stand-in for God the Father. He proves this simply: "Christopher Robin" is an anagram for "I HOPE CHRIST BORN. R." ("I take this to be a decree in the hortatory imperative, dispatched to the Heavenly Host, urging the speedy fulfillment of the Incarnation and signed 'R' for REX.")
Admittedly, the book does drag at times, but only rarely, and probably due to Crews' too perfect mimicry of the rather dry literary personae being roasted over the flames. Not many books make me laugh out loud on every page -- this is one of them.
Top reviews from other countries
The Green ManReviewed in the United Kingdom on January 17, 20125.0 out of 5 stars Comic Genius
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThe idea of making people laugh by producing parodies of literary criticism does not seem a promising one. And yet "The Pooh Perplex" succeeds brilliantly. Taking Milne's well known stories, a range of different interpretations are developed: Christian Allegory (Eyore's birthday as the visit of the Magi), Marxist (these cannot be great stories as they do not feature Midlands' coal fields), Psychoanaltical (Kanga as castrating mother) and many more. Some are parodies of specific writers, such as FR Leavis, but you do not need to know this to enjoy the fun. You do need to have read the Pooh books for this to work but, if you have, then you will enjoy this enormously. It is great to see it back in print - long may it remain so!
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L M.Reviewed in Germany on November 2, 20172.0 out of 5 stars Mehr schlecht als recht
Verified PurchaseDer angegebene Zustand war "gut", dem entsprach das Buch nun wirklich überhaupt nicht. Beim ersten öffnen zerfielen die Seiten aus der Bindung. Auch kleben die Seiten aneinander, sodass ein Aufschlagen schlecht möglich ist.
psReviewed in the United States on November 3, 20175.0 out of 5 stars Classic humorous literary criticisms of the Winnie the Pooh books
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseBrilliantly funny book. If you like literature, are interested in literary criticism, have fond memories of Winnie the Pooh, or just like humor, it's a classic.
Dena E. LangdonReviewed in the United States on May 31, 20155.0 out of 5 stars This is a great satire on literary criticism using Winnie the Pooh as ...
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThis is a great satire on literary criticism using Winnie the Pooh as the piece of literature being critiqued. Professionals in English will love it.





