Her father was a lawyer, her mother a housewife, and together they raised two daughters to be intelligent, inquisitive individuals. Beauvoir taught philosophy at several colleges until 1943, after which she devoted herself to writing. Though she did not consider herself a philosopher, she had a significant influence on both feminist existentialism and feminist theory. Simone wrote numerous biographies, novels, essays, an autobiography and monographs on politics, social issues and philosophy. A leading exponent of existentialism, she is closely associated with jeanpaul sartre, with whom she had a lifelong relationship. Just to be clear, there is no single best book on beauvoir. Now, in this new companion dedicated to her life and writings, an international assembly of prominent scholars, essayists, and leading interpreters reflect upon the range of beauvoir. She described her attempt to write a story centered. Albert harlingueroger violletgetty images behind the mythical persona was a philosopher who wanted women to be free to choose themselves.
An 800page scholarly overview is unlikely to be best for someone looking for a short beginnerfriendly introduction, for example. While a few sections of this book are horribly dated e. The second sex, vintage few books are more thrilling than certain confessions, but they must be honest, and the author must have something to confess. Unabridged in english for the first time, this longawaited edition reinstates significant portions of the original french text that were cut in the first english translation. As part of the existentialist school of thought, the book explores why woman is the other in society. The best book for you will depend on your preferred learning style and the amount of time that you want to spend reading about her. A history of women and the mind doctors from 1800 viragolittle brown comes out in february. Her essays, novels and other works greatly influenced feminist existentialism and social theory. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 746 pages and is available in paperback format. But the scope of her intellectual contribution has long been underestimated, argues her latest biographer kate kirkpatrick, who offers an introduction to the landscape of beauvoirs works, from fiction to philosophy to life writing. This unabridged edition of the text reinstates significant portions of the original french text that were cut in the first english translation, and is now available on audio for.
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