The Plague

The Plague is a collection of essays that explores how to live with death and dying when they cannot be pushed to the outer limits of one's lived experience or dismissed from one's conscious mind. It suggests that to think of death as an avoidable intruder into how we order our lives is an act of defiance that is doomed to fail. Simone Weil's thought suggests that only if we admit the limits of the human will we stop vaunting the brute illusion of earthly power.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 07 June 2023
Publisher: Fitzcarraldo Editions

The Plague: A Collection of Essays

When death and dying no longer remain at the outer edges of our lived experience or can be easily dismissed from our conscious mind, what becomes of our relationship with these profound aspects of life? How do we navigate the inevitability of death, or rather, how do we embrace and 'live' death when it comes too close, seemingly permeating the very air we breathe?

The Plague: A Collection of Essays offers a thought-provoking exploration of these questions, guiding us from the depths of the Covid-19 pandemic to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Through a series of essays, the book seeks to envision a world where a radical respect for death coexists alongside a more equitable distribution of the earth's wealth.

Living Death emerges as a recurring theme throughout the collection, serving as a poignant reminder that to view death as an unavoidable intruder into our ordered lives, particularly in the Western world, is an act of defiance that ultimately fails. In the words of philosopher Simone Weil, who plays a significant role in the book, it is only when we acknowledge the inherent limitations of the human condition that we can break free from the illusion of earthly power and embrace a deeper understanding of our place in the universe.

The Plague: A Collection of Essays challenges us to confront the inevitability of death and to embrace it as a natural part of life's cycle. It encourages us to cultivate a sense of gratitude for the precious moments we have and to make the most of our time on this earth. By acknowledging the finite nature of our existence, we can find meaning and purpose in our lives, even in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, The Plague: A Collection of Essays offers a thought-provoking and transformative perspective on death and dying. Through its collection of essays, the book invites us to reevaluate our relationship with these profound aspects of life and to embrace a more holistic and respectful approach to mortality. By acknowledging the limits of the human condition and embracing the mystery of death, we can find greater meaning and purpose in our lives and contribute to a more compassionate and equitable world.

Weight: 228g
Dimension: 197 x 128 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781804270486