The Essay At the Limits: Poetics, Politics and Form

The essay has re-emerged as a powerful literary form for tackling a fractious 21st-century culture, explored in The Essay at the Limits by leading scholars. The book links the formal innovations and new voices to the history and theory of the essay, surveying its origins to its relation to contemporary cultural forms.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 20 October 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The essay has re-emerged as a potent literary form in the hands of renowned writers such as Rebecca Solnit, Claudia Rankine, David Shields, Zadie Smith, and many others, adeptly navigating the complexities of the fractious 21st-century culture. In response to this resurgence, The Essay at the Limits: Expanding the Boundaries of the Form brings together a distinguished group of scholars to delve into the theory, poetics, and potential future of this versatile literary genre. This comprehensive volume connects the formal innovations and fresh voices that have emerged in the 21st-century essay to the rich history and theoretical foundations of the form. By surveying the essay's origins, its relationship to contemporary cultural forms, and its diverse manifestations across various mediums, including novels, poetry, film, music, and political articles, the book offers a comprehensive examination of this literary form.

Within its pages, readers are treated to an insightful exploration of the works of esteemed writers such as Theodor W. Adorno, Kwame Anthony Appiah, Francis Bacon, James Baldwin, Roland Barthes, Maurice Blanchot, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Annie Dillard, Brian Dillon, Jean Genet, William Hazlitt, Samuel Johnson, Karl Ove Knaussgaard, Ben Lerner, Audre Lorde, Oscar Wilde, Michel de Montaigne, Zadie Smith, Rebecca Solnit, Wallace Stevens, Eliot Weinberger, and Virginia Woolf. These diverse authors have contributed their unique perspectives and artistic brilliance to shape the evolution and significance of the essay, making it a vital tool for navigating the complexities of our contemporary world.

The essay's resurgence is a testament to its enduring power and adaptability, capable of transcending boundaries and engaging with the most pressing issues of our time. By delving into the theory, poetics, and future of the essay, The Essay at the Limits: Expanding the Boundaries of the Form provides valuable insights into the rich tapestry of this literary form and its potential for shaping the discourse of the future.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350235373