Pierre Macherey è un critico letterario marxista francese il cui lavoro offre una profonda analisi dei testi letterari attraverso una lente marxista. Figura chiave nello sviluppo del post-strutturalismo e del marxismo, il suo approccio esplora come le opere letterarie riflettano le condizioni socio-economiche e i meccanismi ideologici. Il rigore teorico di Macherey e il suo profondo impegno nella relazione tra letteratura e il suo contesto sociale hanno reso il suo lavoro molto influente, in particolare nella teoria letteraria europea.
This work represents a significant shift in French intellectual thought, challenging traditional interpretations of Marx. It offers a fresh perspective that re-evaluates Marxist theory, encouraging readers to reconsider established beliefs and engage with new ideas. The text is pivotal for those interested in philosophy, political theory, and the evolution of Marxist thought.
Who is more important: the reader, or the writer? Originally published in French in 1966, Pierre Macherey s first and most famous work, A Theory of Literary Production dared to challenge perceived wisdom, and quickly established him as a pivotal figure in literary theory. In this provocative work, Macherey puts the focus as much on the reader as the writer, stating that the very act of reading is a form of production in its own right, generating interpretation and meanings which are beyond the control of the author." Part of the birth of a whole new branch of post-structuralist theory, Macherey's work also influenced a new generation of critics - among them Jacques Derrida, his contemporary, and Terry Eagleton. His ideas have also led some observers to claim that he announced 'the death of the author' fully two years before Roland Barthes' famous essay.The reissue of this work as a Routledge Classic brings some radical ideas to a new audience, and argues persuasively for a totally new way of reading. As such, it is an essential work for anyone interested in the development of literary theory.