This is one of my most cherished volumes of critical theory. Any self-respecting lit student should own this tome, and read it carefully. Many useful pieces for different scenarios.

...abjection (If you also read 'Powers of Horror' by Kristeva) Quite comprehensive altough it would be hard to make a choice in the work of Kristeva. Kristeva's work focuses heavily on semiotics and women's role in politics and religion. Many of the theories will stir the soul, especially 'Stabat Mater' if you grew up forced into any european or western dogma. 'Women's Time' is a good possible evaluation of women and politics. Freud gets thrown into this in a very different manner than one expects, which leaves us to wonder, is Kristeva supporting the old 'Dr.' or not?

The Kristeva Reader is a good, even great, introduction to the work of Julia Kristeva. Some of Kristeva's most important works are brilliantly exerpted in readable prose by Toril Moi. Lovers of linguistics, rhetoric, literary theory, and psychology will find Kristeva's work compelling. One interesting aspect of the text is that it offers the reader a glimpse into the creative process. In an early essay, "Word, Dialogue, and Novel," Kristeva responds to the theory of Mikhail Bakhtin. Her later essay, "Revolution in Poetic Language," shows the evolution of Kristeva's language theory. Unfortunately, in order to make Kristeva accessible, Moi had to make some difficult choices in her editing. A serious scholar will undoubtedly find herself looking for the complete essays in another text.