Viewpoints timely look at evolving Ireland

THE title of this new book from Cork University Press, Viewpoints: Theoretical Perspectives on Irish Visual Texts, promises to lead the reader into intriguing and less-travelled territories.

Fourteen essays, by 14 cultural theorists, delve into issues of how identity, gender and sexuality are constructed — and deconstructed — in various areas of cultural production relating to Ireland, most notably film. Edited by Claire Bracken, assistant professor at Union College at Schenectady, New York, and Emma Radley, research fellow at UCD, Viewpoints also provides an overview of the current state of cultural studies in Ireland and further afield. The essays are divided into three main sections, entitled discourse, form and identity. However, these are tenuous distinctions. The essays are nearly all about cinema, and contemporary critical discourse, differing slightly in terms of the methods of analysis used and the critical theorists to whom homage is paid.

For the average reader, a little preparatory research into critical terminology and methodology is advisable, as the Viewpoints editors are clearly confident that phrases such as ‘iconic currencies’ and ‘dynamic inter-textual register’ will present no difficulties. A working knowledge of the works of Theodor Adorno, Jürgen Habermas, Pierre Bourdieu and other critical theorists would also be useful. To be fair, the contributors to Viewpoints are all academics, and so probably is the target audience.