A Philosophy of Autobiography

Body & Text

Aakash Singh Rathore author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd

Published:18th Dec '20

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A Philosophy of Autobiography cover

This insightful examination of autobiographical literature emphasizes the representation of the physical body, exploring works by various influential authors in A Philosophy of Autobiography.

This book provides an in-depth exploration of a wide array of global autobiographical literature, with a particular focus on how the physical body is represented within these narratives. It examines twelve significant texts that span various genres, including philosophical autobiography, self-experimentation, literary autobiography, and graphic novels. Notable authors discussed include Nietzsche, Gandhi, Hemingway, and Spiegelman, among others, each bringing a unique perspective to the concept of self-representation.

In A Philosophy of Autobiography, the analysis goes beyond mere storytelling to delve into the intricate relationship between the body, spirit, and written word. The author highlights how these autobiographers engage with their physical selves, an aspect often overlooked in literary criticism and philosophical discourse. By integrating elements of phenomenological philosophy and feminist thought, the work sheds light on the complexities of identity, existence, and the human experience as articulated through personal narratives.

With its lucid and authoritative prose, A Philosophy of Autobiography serves as a vital resource for scholars and researchers across multiple disciplines. It addresses themes of gender studies, political philosophy, social exclusion, and race, making it relevant to contemporary discussions in these fields. The book invites readers to reconsider the significance of the body in autobiographical writing and its implications for understanding the self in a broader societal context.

'Aakash Singh Rathore repeatedly evokes the fragile, niggling core of the body upon which rests many a lofty thought. Chapter after chapter, story after story, the author needles, unsettles, and satisfies the reader.'

Navtej Johar, somatic practitioner, scholar and urban activist based in India

'In this wide-ranging and engrossing study, Aakash Singh Rathore examines the way life-writing configures the flesh and transmutes the morphology of spirit. Rathore not only offers refreshing new readings of multicultural and multinational autobiographical texts, but also a new understanding of human subjectivity and "me-ness".'

Makarand Paranjape, Director, Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla, India

'Through a first-person reading of diverse autobiographies, Rathore posits the genre’s inherent dependence on the potency of the flesh as the central means of experiencing life’s truths, reminiscent of Yogic-Tantric practices.'

Rashmi Poddar, Director, Jnanapravaha Mumbai, India

ISBN: 9780367733025

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 300g

150 pages