On Freedom
Back of the Book
So often deployed as a jingoistic, even menacing rallying cry, or limited by a focus on passing moments of liberation, the rhetoric of freedom both rouses and repels. Does it remain key to our autonomy, justice, and well-being, or is freedom's long star turn coming to a close? Does a continued obsession with the term enliven and emancipate, or reflect a deepening nihilism (or both)? On Freedom examines such questions by tracing the concept's complexities in four distinct realms: art, sex, drugs, and climate.
Drawing on a vast range of material, from critical theory to pop culture to the intimacies and plain exchanges of daily life, Maggie Nelson explores how we might think, experience, or talk about freedom in ways responsive to the conditions of our day. Her abiding interest lies in ongoing "practices of freedom" by which we negotiate our interrelation with--indeed, our inseparability from--others, with all the care and constraint that entails, while accepting difference and conflict as integral to our communion.
For Nelson, thinking publicly through the knots in our culture--from recent art-world debates to the turbulent legacies of sexual liberation, from the painful paradoxes of addiction to the lure of despair in the face of the climate crisis—is itself a practice of freedom, a means of forging fortitude, courage, and company. On Freedom is an invigorating, essential book for challenging times.
We Love It Because
Nelson’s brilliance and esteemed writing does not fall short in this body of work. This book will leave traces of impact, welcoming readers to reflect on the paradoxes of freedom while pushing the boundaries on the cultural conversations that surround our everyday life. Nelson presents questions and inquiries that act as an almost interactive experience for readers, abundantly captivating and generous.
Memorable Passage
These developments interest me, as does some of the art that corresponds to them. What troubles me is the alleged reverse-that is, the trend toward diagnosing some art (or artists) as “caring” and some as not, with the latter treated as capable of wounding, traumatizing, or otherwise inflicting harm-harm for which the artist’s (or curator’s or publisher’s) freedom then becomes subject to blame.
About the Author
Maggie Nelson is a contemporary American author and cultural critic whose innovative and genre-defying work has garnered widespread acclaim. Born in 1973, Nelson is celebrated for her ability to seamlessly blend genres, tackling subjects ranging from gender and sexuality to art and motherhood. Her acclaimed book "The Argonauts" challenges traditional notions of memoir and cultural criticism, exploring her experiences as a queer woman, partner, and mother. Nelson's writing is characterized by its intellectual rigor, emotional honesty, and a fearless willingness to explore the complexities of identity and desire. Her wide-ranging body of work, including Bluets and The Red Parts, has established her as a vital voice in contemporary literature. Maggie Nelson is worth knowing for her transformative impact on the intersections of personal narrative, theory, and cultural critique, pushing the boundaries of literary form and offering readers a unique and profound perspective on the human experience.
Mentioned By