
Reading from Behind
A Cultural Analysis of the Anus
Jonathan A. Allan(Author)
Zed Books Ltd (Publisher)
Published on 15. March 2016
Book
Paperback/Softback
262 pages
978-1-78360-754-9 (ISBN)
Description
'A serious work of theory.'
The Guardian
'Jonathan Allan has come up with a whole theory of the arsehole.'
Dazed and Confused
In a resolute deviation from the governing totality of the phallus, Reading from Behind offers a radical reorientation of the anus and its role in the collective imaginary.
It exposes what is deeply hidden in our cultural production, and challenges the authority of paranoid, critical thought.
A beautiful work that invites us beyond the rejection of phallocentricism, to a new way of being and thinking about sex, culture and identity.
The Guardian
'Jonathan Allan has come up with a whole theory of the arsehole.'
Dazed and Confused
In a resolute deviation from the governing totality of the phallus, Reading from Behind offers a radical reorientation of the anus and its role in the collective imaginary.
It exposes what is deeply hidden in our cultural production, and challenges the authority of paranoid, critical thought.
A beautiful work that invites us beyond the rejection of phallocentricism, to a new way of being and thinking about sex, culture and identity.
Reviews / Votes
Looks at the subject of the 'booty' with remarkable enthusiasm. * Attitude * Jonathan Allan has come up with a whole theory of the arsehole. * Dazed and Confused * Readers outside the academy will be rewarded with a fine example of textual analysis-and, possibly, a new appreciation of the anus as the most democratic and empowering of our body parts. * Literary Review of Canada * A serious work of theory, exploring the backside as a site of humiliation and disgust. * The Guardian * Allan's work is, in a sense, groundbreaking ... opening up a whole new field of study ... Allan's book should be required reading. * The Independent * Assholes are like opinions: Everyone has them - but no one has more opinions on assholes than Jonathan Allan. * VICE * A remarkably fresh and original contribution to contemporary queer studies. I am confident that, with Reading from Behind, Allan will emerge as a widely respected critical voice of his generation. * David William Foster, author of Sexual Textualties: Essays on Queer/ing Latin American Writing * Entertaining and informative. * Merrill Cole, author of The Other Orpheus: A Poetics of Modern Homosexuality * Allan reorients studies of anality. * Todd Reeser, author of Masculinities in Theory *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
Halftones, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 134 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
340 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78360-754-9 (9781783607549)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
03/2016
1st Edition
Zed Books Ltd
€21.99
Available for download

E-Book
03/2016
1st Edition
Zed Books Ltd
€21.99
Available for download
Person
Jonathan A. Allan holds the Canada research chair in queer theory at Brandon University, Canada.
Content
Introduction: No Wrong Doors: An Entryway
1. Anal Theory, or Reading from Behind
2. Orienting Virginity
3. Topping from the Bottom: Anne Tenino's Frat Boy and Toppy
4. Orienting Brokeback Mountain
5. Spanking Colonialism
6. Unlocking Delmira Agustini's 'El Intruso'
7. Shameful Matrophilia in Dona Herlinda y su hijo
8. Vengeful Vidal
1. Anal Theory, or Reading from Behind
2. Orienting Virginity
3. Topping from the Bottom: Anne Tenino's Frat Boy and Toppy
4. Orienting Brokeback Mountain
5. Spanking Colonialism
6. Unlocking Delmira Agustini's 'El Intruso'
7. Shameful Matrophilia in Dona Herlinda y su hijo
8. Vengeful Vidal