Haunted by Words ― Scandalous Texts

Scandal is only a computer click away, and now ordinary citizens are taking umbrage against each other in public forums, in the media, and in court. Miller (communications and creative arts, Deakin U.) focuses on recent, scandalous literary texts such as Harry Potter and Brent Easton Ellis's American Psycho to unearth the reasons for scandal, the nature of the scandal, and the response of readers that made the work scandalous. First, she examines Harry Potter and how it challenges the cherished, protected parameters of children's literature and transgresses the satanic, according to some observers. She then examines the creeping smuttiness and progression in scandal of Madame Bovary, The Well of Loneliness, and Lady Chatterley's Lover. Following this is a delightful series of observations on memoirs written mainly to deceive someone, either the writer or the reader. Miller finally examines the greatest scandal of all: confrontation of the sacred in such authors as Rushdie. Annotation c2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Alyson Miller has a PhD in literary studies from Deakin University, where she is a lecturer in the School of Communication and Creative Arts. Her creative and critical works have been published in international and Australian journals. Her research examines scandalous literature, identity politics, and anxieties relating to gender and sexuality.