Cynthia L. Haven writes regularly for The Times Literary Supplement, and has also contributed to The New York Times, The Nation, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, and many others. She is also the author of several books, including volumes on Nobel poets Czeslaw Milosz and Joseph Brodsky.
Evolution of Desire is essential reading for Girard devotees and a
perfect entrée for newcomers. Rich with details and ideas, Cynthia
Haven's book gives everything it promises and something more: a
personal account of a close friend. Highly recommended.
--Maria Stepanova, recipient of the 2005 Andrei Bely Prize for
Poetry, the 2018 Big Book Award, and shortlisted for the 2021
International Booker Prize
Evolution of Desire chronicles the personal history of one of the
past century's seminal thinkers, illuminating the intellectual
history that followed in his wake. Written with flair and wit, the
book is intelligent and lucid, discerning and compelling.
--Daniel Medin, Associate Professor of Comparative Literature and
English, American University of Paris, juror for the 2016 Man
Booker International Prize
Evolution of Desire is essential reading for Girard devotees and a
perfect opening party for newcomers. Rich with details and ideas,
Haven's book gives everything it promises and something more: a
personal account of a close friend. She manages to say so much,
while still keeping the narration on a deeply personal level.
Highly recommended.
--Maria Stepanova, Russian poet, journalist, and publisher of
Colta
It is my humble opinion that, when the dust finally settles, René
Girard will be considered one of the truly great thinkers of the
twentieth century. Do I exaggerate? Read Cynthia Haven's
beautifully written biography and be your own judge. Here is a book
that gives us Girard in all his genius and his generosity. I can't
recommend it enough.
--Morgan Meis, contributor at The New Yorker and 2013 Whiting Award
winner
René Girard's provocative theories on violence, religion, desire,
and scapegoating are intensely relevant to contemporary American
society. Cynthia Haven offers an account of Girard's life and ideas
that is as compelling as a good detective story. It should receive
the widest possible readership.
--David Streitfeld, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer for The New York
Times
Ask a Question About this Product More... |