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Slavoj Zizek has been called "an academic rock star" and "the wild man of theory"; his writing mixes astonishing erudition and references to pop culture in order to dissect current intellectual pieties. In "The Puppet and the Dwarf" he offers a close reading of today's religious constellation from the viewpoint of Lacanian psychoanalysis. He critically confronts both predominant versions of today's spirituality--New Age gnosticism and deconstructionist-Levinasian Judaism--and then tries to redeem the "materialist" kernel of Christianity. His reading of Christianity is explicitly political, discerning in the Pauline community of believers the first version of a revolutionary collective. Since today even advocates of Enlightenment like Jurgen Habermas acknowledge that a religious vision is needed to ground our ethical and political stance in a "postsecular" age, this book--with a stance that is clearly materialist and at the same time indebted to the core of the Christian legacy--is certain to stir controversy.
Industry Reviews
Zizekrarely fails to entertain...
-Library Journal
A witty, informative trip...both erudite and accessible...
-Rick Mitchell, Leonardo Reviews * Reviews *
His writing is bold, confident and contentious.
-Julian Baggini, The Philosopher's Magazine * Reviews *
The Puppet and the Dwarf is Zizek's most compelling and passionate writing on Christianity to date.
-Erik Davis, Bookforum * Reviews *
Quite possibly the most entertaining philosopher working today. Zizek knows how to think the unthinkable.
-Jori Finkel, Village Voice * Reviews *
Slavoj Zizek may have the strongest 'brand identity'...of any cultural theorist now in the marketplace of ideas.
-Scott McLemee, The Chronicle of Higher Education * Reviews *
Zizek is the first Marxist to write theology in a post-marxist, post-secular age.
-Eugene McCarraher, In These Times * Reviews *
...Zizek mixes Pauline speculations with analyses of everything from G. K. Chesterton to chocolate eggs.
-Terry Eagleton, TLS * Reviews *
Zizekrarely fails to entertain...
-Library Journal * Reviews *
