A “gem” of a book on playwright and theorist Jean Genet by Clare Finburgh from the Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies and co-author David Bradby has been named as a Choice Outstanding Academic Title.
The Choice review said: “This volume is a gem. Written by two experts in modern French theatre, whose stated objective is to render the complexity of Genet's work exhilarating rather than intimidating, the book bears witness to the continued political relevance and artistic power of one of the most controversial and influential authors of the 20th century.”
Jean Genet’s significance within twentieth-century theatre has long been understated. This book, the only introductory text in English to Genet’s plays in production, presents an overview of an influential and controversial writer whose work prefigured many recent postmodern and post-colonial developments in theatre and performance studies.
Jean Genet offers philosophical, historical, political and aesthetic readings of Genet’s plays in order to render the complexity of his theatre exhilarating, rather than intimidating. It goes on to explore ways in which different directors, designers and actors have approached his writing.
A spectrum of productions spanning 60 years, from 1947 to 2007, illustrates the sheer range of theatrical styles that Genet’s texts inspire.
Every year, Choice subject editors single out for recognition the most significant print and electronic works reviewed in Choice during the previous calendar year.
The aim is to honour the authors, editors, and publishers of these works for their vital contribution to the scholarly endeavor.
The prestigious list of publications, which appears annually in Choice’s January issue, reflects the best in scholarly titles and attracts extraordinary attention from the academic library community, particularly in the United States.
‘Outstanding Academic Titles’ are selected for overall excellence in presentation and scholarship; importance relative to other literature in the field; distinction as a first treatment of a given subject in book or electronic form; originality or uniqueness of treatment; value to undergraduate students, and importance in building undergraduate library collections.
Choice: Current Reviews for Academic Libraries is the premier source for reviews of academic books, electronic media, and Internet resources of interest to those in higher education. All reviews are undertaken by experts in their field and Choice reaches almost every undergraduate college and university library in the United States.