A Reader's Guide to Contemporary Feminist Literary Criticism by Maggie Humm is a foundational introduction to feminist literary theory and criticism. Designed for students and researchers, the book surveys the major developments in feminist criticism from the rise of the women's movement in the 1960s through the early 1990s. Rather than assuming prior knowledge, Humm explains complex theoretical concepts in a clear and systematic manner, making the work an important entry point into feminist literary studies. The book examines a broad range of critical approaches, including second-wave feminism, Marxist and socialist feminism, French feminist theory, psychoanalytic feminism, poststructuralism, postmodern feminism, Black feminist criticism, lesbian feminism, queer theory, and Third World feminist criticism. It discusses the ideas of influential thinkers such as Simone de Beauvoir, Kate Millett, Elaine Showalter, Hélène Cixous, Julia Kristeva, Luce Irigaray, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, bell hooks, Audre Lorde, Gloria Anzaldúa, and many others. Each chapter provides an overview of the theoretical approach, explains key concepts, evaluates major debates, and recommends further reading.