Without Maurice Blanchot, literary theory as we know it today would have been unthinkable. Jacques Derrida, Paul de Man, Michel Foucault, Roland Barthes, Gilles Deleuze: all are key theorists crucially influenced by Blanchot's work.

This accessible guide:

* works 'idea by idea' through Blanchot's writings, anchoring them in historical and intellectual contexts

* examines Blanchot's understanding of literature, death, ethics and politics and the relationship between these themes

* unravels even Blanchot's most complex ideas for the beginner

* sketches the lasting impact of Blanchot's work on the field of critical theory.

For those trying to come to grips with contemporary literary theory and modern French thought, the best advice is to start at the beginning: begin with Blanchot, and begin with this guide.