The Narrative Reader provides a comprehensive survey of theories of narrative from Plato to Post-Structuralism. The selection of texts is bold and broad, demonstrating the extent to which narrative permeates the entire field of literature and culture. It shows the ways in which narrative crosses disciplines, continents and theoretical perspectives and will fascinate students and researchers alike, providing a long overdue point of entry to the complex field of narrative theory.

Canonical texts are combined with those which are difficult to obtain elsewhere, and there are new translations and introductory material. The texts cover crucial issues including:

* formalism

* responses to narratology

* psychoanalysis

* phenomenology

* deconstruction

* structuralism

* narrative and sexual difference

* race

* history

The final section is designed to guide the student reader through the texts, and includes a helpful chronology of narrative theory, a glossary of narrative terms, and a checklist of narrative theories.

Martin McQuillan is Lecturer in English at Staffordshire University.

Acknowledgements. How to Use This Book: Introduction. Part 1. Chapter 1. Form and Discourse. Chapter 2. Structuralism. Chapter 3. Post-Narratology. Part 2. Chapter 4. Psychoanalysis. Chapter 5. Sexual Difference. Chapter 6. Deconstruction. Chapter 7. Phenomenology. Chapter 8. History. Chapter 9. Race. Part 3. A Glossary of Narrative Terms. A Checklist of Narrative Theories.