Radical chic?
Sir: Let us leave aside questions about the merits of Terry Eagleton's new book: they are questions on which Mr Conrad's review (21 August) is studiedly silent. But what on earth has a brief introduction to the important literary theories of Lukacs (born 1885), Goldmann (born 1913) and others to do with "radical chic" (whatever that may mean)? Nothing says more about Oxford Eng. Lit. than the ignorant and impudent assumption that Marxism is something that first reared its dishevelled head in the 'academies' (Oxbridge and its colonies) In 1968. Mr Conrad's review is egregious argument ad ignorantiam; and, one Must assume, ex ignorantia as well. It is a pity that Dr Eagleton's book should not get a proper review but should instead be subjected to malicious whimsY, couched in baggy prose and clever-sillY puns.
Edward Larrissy St John's College, Oxford
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