Jacques Derrida (Religion and Postmodernism)

About this book

This extraordinary book offers a clear and compelling biography of Jacques Derrida along with one of Derridas strangest and most unexpected texts. Geoffrey Benningtons account of Derrida leads the reader through the philosophers familiar yet widely misunderstood work on language and writing to the less familiar themes of signature sexual difference law and affirmation. In an unusual and unprecedented "dialogue " Derrida responds to Benningtons text by interweaving Benningtons text with surprising and disruptive "periphrases." Truly original this dual and dueling text opens new dimensions in Derridas thought and work. "Bennington is a shrewd and well-informed commentator whose book should do something to convince the skeptics . . . that Jacques Derridas work merits serious attention."Christopher Norris New Statesman & Society "Geoffrey Bennington and Jacques Derrida have presented a fascinating example of what might be called post-structuralist autobiography."Laurie Volpe French Review "Benningtons account of what Derrida is up to is better in almost all respectsmore intelligent more plausible more readable and less pretentiousthan any other I have read."Richard Rorty Contemporary Literature