This collection presents six essays by one of France's most remarkable contemporary authors. A notoriously playful stylist, here Helene Cixous explores how the problematics of the sexes-viewed as a paradigm for all difference, which is the organizing principle behind identity and meaning-manifest themselves, write themselves, in texts. These superb translations do full justice to Cixous's prose, to its songlike flow and allusive brilliance.

Helene Cixous is today, in my view, the greatest writer in what I will call my language, the French language if you like. And I am weighing my words as I say that. For a great writer must be a poet-thinker, very much a poet and a very thinking poet. -- Jacques Derrida

About the Author
Helene Cixous is Professor at the University of Paris VIII, and director of the university's Center for Research in Feminine Studies. Susan Rubin Suleiman is the Dillon Professor of the Civilization of France and Professor of Comparative Literature, Harvard University.

Reviews
Helene Cixous is today, in my view, the greatest writer in what I will call my language, the French language if you like. And I am weighing my words as I say that. For a great writer must be a poet-thinker, very much a poet and a very thinking poet. -- Jacques Derrida
Deborah Jenson judiciously selects from Cixous's output between 1976-89: 'Coming to Writing,' 'Clarice Lispector: The Approach,' 'Tancredi Continues,' 'The Last Painting or the Portrait of God,' 'By the Light of an Apple,' and 'The Author in Truth.' Her perceptive closing essay, together with Susan Suleiman's introduction...trace the umbilical links between Cixous's end-stopped poetic-philosophic prose and her roots which anchor her perilously between two holocausts, Jewish and colonial, and two tongues, German and the classical French... These essays highlight a wealth of disparate inspiration...[in] an ideal guide to Cixous. -- Elizabeth Moles * Times Higher Education Supplement *
Cixous, important as she is as a feminist theorist and activist, is equally important as an accurate emotional sounding board for women everywhere. As such, her articulation of powerful, if delicate, perceptions in lucid prose/poetry compels the attention of European and American readers... The power of her prose is philosophically sound. * Choice *
The tradition of Cixous's interest in feminine writing and talent at manipulating words continues in this collection. [In one essay] she describes vividly how she was overcome by the intoxication of writing... Other essays explore the influence of music and gender on writing...and painting. In all cases the language is visual and jewel-like, sparkling with color. * Library Journal *



Book Information
ISBN 9780674144378
Author Helene Cixous
Format Paperback
Page Count 214
Imprint Harvard University Press
Publisher Harvard University Press
Weight(grams) 281g