Of Grammatology

Reputedly fearsomely difficult book (it's actually one of Derrida's easiest), marks one as an intellectual for having read it. Basic thesis: the invention of writing was perhaps the most profound invention ever, but we lack the vocabulary to talk objectively about it since the very act is dependent upon writing.

A superb and crucial book, and the cornerstone of Derrida's work. But I have come to believe that Derrida is the vehicle that made it possible to advance from the work of Husserl and Heidegger to the work of Bernard Stiegler.

I didn't finish the book. I got to page 289--27 short of the end--and just couldn't go any further. So if there was a brilliant insight located in the last 27 pages, I missed it.

This book was an utter waste of my time. That's not necessarily a reflection on Derrida. It may be that I am an idiot. Either way, I got nothing of value from it, so there's not much more that I can say about it.

My guess is it's Derrida, though. I would suggest you stay away from this book unless 1) you're required to read it, or 2) you find similar but somewhat clearer thinkers (Baudrillard, Foucault, Barthes, Bataille) very stimulating. But start your postmodern adventure with those, not with big D.

It's complicated.

Le style dense de l'auteur ne rend pas toujours la lecture facile et le titre n'est pas très explicite, à moins de savoir que "gramma" signifie trace, empreinte, écriture. Toutefois et bien au delà de la difficulté du premier chapitre, le seul qui soit vraiment difficile à lire, il s'agit d'un livre de réflexion majeur.
A lire absolument quand on s'intéresse à l'écriture.