Queer Theories

'An exceptionally readable and usable survey of the major developments in queer theory over the last two decades. Hall is witty and engaging as he takes us on a whirlwind tour of the major sites of contention and debate in the histories of sexuality, embodiment, desire and sexual subjectivities...It is never easy to hold onto the complexity of critical theory while making it accessible to undergraduates or non-academic readers; but Hall has been extremely successful in offering cogent and smart readings of key texts without underestimating the ambition and sophistication of his readers.' - Professor Judith Halberstam, University of California, San Diego 'Lucid, readable and engaging account of queer theories, showing how they have developed and changed rapidly over recent years.' - Dr Lawrence Normand, Middlesex University 'Production values are excellent - overview of queer theory 'as a discipline' was lively and interesting - I especially enjoyed the 'practical application' in terms of the literary readings.' - Dr Katherine O'Donnell, University College Dublin '...a succinct, pedagogically designed, introduction...this book should generate lively class discussions and projects...' - D.N. Mager, Choice 'I recommend Hall's book to any reader who wants a good background in queer reading theories...for its clarity, conciseness, depth and range, I give Hall's introductory reader a gold star. In a small space, in understandable and open prose, he manages to give the reader a complex view of queer theory in a way that will, hopefully, open up a world of potential further reading to the person who gets curious about the critics mentioned.' - Brit Mandelo, Tor.com

This essential introductory guide explores and aggressively expands the provocative new field of sexual identity studies.This essential introductory guide explores and aggressively expands the provocative new field of sexual identity studies. It explains the history of sexual identity categories, such as 'gay' and 'lesbian', covers the reclamation of 'queer' as a term of radical self-identification, and details recent challenges to sexual identity studies posed by transgender and bisexual theories. Donald E. Hall offers concrete applications of the abstract theories he explores, with imaginative new readings of such works as 'The Yellow Wallpaper', Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Orlando and The Color Purple.

Throughout, Hall urges the reader to grapple with the changing nature of sexual identity in the twenty-first century and asks searching questions about how we might identify ourselves differently given new technologies and new possibilities for sexual experimentation. To students, theorists and activists alike, Queer Theories issues a challenge to continue to disrupt narrow, traditional notions of sexual 'normality' and to resist setting up new and confining categories of 'true' sexual identity.