S/Z is the linguistic distillation of Barthes's system of semiology, a series of signs and symbols, in which a Balzac novella, Sarrasine, is dissected semantically to uncover layers of unsuspected meanings and connotations.

When -- like now -- I'm in an uncharitable mood, I think of Barthes as what French critical theory was before it toppled over into the un-sense of Derrida and company. But honestly, I've had some fun with some Derrida ... I think he was sometimes serious, though not always as serious as he was ... taken.

S/Z is simply brilliant. Great writing, great analysis.

Apologies: not much of a review. I need to read it again! ( )

Really interesting concept, would be intrigued to see it applied to a full novel instead of something short like the Sarrasine

La materia semántica de un texto ( )

Great book for understanding structural analysis. Also a great way to comprehend the difference between the classic and modern text. Though he says little about the modern text per se, you are able to locate the conventions inherent to the classic text and therefore better appreciate what today we would call the post-modern text. Some may find it a bit drawn out, but that is merely because it is comprehensive. It is in fact a thorough reading and so is well worth the time. Even though the five categories that he breaks the classic text's conventions around can become redundant - they allow everyone the chance to comprehend these conventions fully so that they can actually come away from the essay and apply the same techniques on their own. ( )