Palimpsests: Literature in the Second Degree

Rating:
Summary: there it is
Review: I enjoyed the discussion of intertextuality and parody in this book but remain entirely underwhelmed by the taxonomy of differentiation for the diversity of allusion and intertextuality that exists among the authors that Genette chooses to discuss. The most interesting part of this text for me was the fine table that equivocates the chapters in Joyce's Ulysses with the books of the Odyssey. The author is profoundly smart and so able at comparing texts that I did enjoy reading this book. I found certain parts easily skipped (due to my lack of interest or background). I recommend this book for those specifically interested in the details of the matter at hand or in the critical writings of Genette. Beyond the pleasure of reading certain parts I do not find as much to recommend to the general reader. Better and clearer discussion exist of narratology and intertextuality. Still, Genette's book is not without educative charm.