Dialogism

Mikhail Bakhtin's ideas have influenced thinking in literary studies, anthropology, linguistics, psychology and social theory. Michael Holquist's study draws on all of Bakhtin's writings known to exist to provide a comprehensive account of his achievement. He argues that Bakhtin's work gains coherence through his commitment to the concept of dialogue. He examines Bakhtin's dialogues with theorists such as Saussure, Freud, Marx and Lukacs, as well as other figures in the history of thinking whose connection with Bakhtin's work has previously been ignored. Dialogism also includes dialogic readings of some major literary texts - Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Gogol's The Notes of a Madman and Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby - which provide another dimension of dialogue with dialogue. Widely acknowledged as an exceptional guide to Bakhtin and dialogics, this book now includes a new introduction, concluding chapter and a fully updated bibliography.