Taking A Long Look: Essays on Culture, Literature and Feminism in Our Time

Vivian Gornick's collection of essays, All That Is Given, explores feminism, writing, literature, culture, politics, and personal experience, highlighting the painful process of understanding one's self and its connection to the larger world. The essays cover various topics and bring back into print her incendiary essays championing the women's liberation movement of the 1970s.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 26 November 2020
Publisher: Verso Books

For nearly fifty years, Vivian Gornick's essays have delved into a wide range of subjects, including feminism, writing, literature, culture, politics, and personal experience. Written with her characteristic clarity of perception and vibrant prose, Gornick's work has explored the complexities of these topics with depth and insight. Drawing from the course of her career, All That Is Given offers a comprehensive examination of one of the central themes underlying Gornick's writing: the painful process of understanding oneself is what connects us to the larger world.

In these essays, Gornick delves into the lives and works of influential writers such as Alfred Kazin, Mary McCarthy, Diana Trilling, Philip Roth, Joan Didion, and Herman Melville. She also examines the cultural impact of landmark books like Silent Spring and Uncle Tom's Cabin and explores the characters that inhabit the unique environments of New York barber shops and midtown bus terminals. Moreover, All That Is Given reintroduces Gornick's incendiary essays, originally published in the Village Voice, which championed the emergence of the women's liberation movement of the 1970s.

These essays showcase Gornick's exceptional talent as a critic, displaying her ability to alternate between urgency and lucidity, offering profound insights into the subjects she explores. Whether examining the complexities of gender roles, the power of literature, or the politics of personal experience, Gornick's writing is always thought-provoking and engaging. Through her essays, readers gain a deeper understanding of the world and are inspired to reflect on their own lives and experiences.

In conclusion, Vivian Gornick's essays have left an indelible mark on the literary landscape, exploring the intersection of feminism, writing, literature, culture, politics, and personal experience with depth and insight. All That Is Given serves as a testament to Gornick's enduring legacy, offering a comprehensive collection of her most celebrated works and reintroducing her powerful essays that championed the women's liberation movement of the 1970s. Gornick's writing continues to inspire and challenge readers, making her a truly influential and beloved critic.

Weight: 390g
Dimension: 148 x 220 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788739771