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Visions of Excess (Theory and History of Literature #14)
s/t: Selected Writings 1927-39
Paperback, (Theory & History of Literature 14), 304 pages
Published
June 20th 1985
by Univ Of Minnesota Press
(first published 1985)
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Considering how often I return to this to re-read specific essays, i think my initial 'review' here, considering the collection as a book in itself is really naive. This is a fucking key collection, there is so much in here that is beyond necessary. My copy sits by my bed for quick reference.
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Kind of uneven; when Bataille is exciting he is very exciting, but in some essays the time shines through (a sort of inherent naivety to the 30s) tha...more
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Kind of uneven; when Bataille is exciting he is very exciting, but in some essays the time shines through (a sort of inherent naivety to the 30s) tha...more
Bataille is always interesting, but I am just not that fascinated by his subjects. The works on primitive cultures are interesting and effective narratives for describing genealogies of moral taboos and their violations.
Cultural theory, art criticism, philosophy and drunken shamanism all blended together with poetry by the world's most distinguished debauched librarian who favored human sacrifice.
Totally captivating! In awe of the avenue of thoughts it opened up. :)
my introduction to bataille.
Bataille is a welcome relief from the dry philosophical inquiries of his era and he has a way of delivering his points with rhetorical flourish, often preferable to dry logical diagnosis. Who would have thought that one could turn excretion and expenditure into the basis of a philosophy? His attempt alone makes his essays worth reading.
Aug 17, 2008
Stephen
marked it as books-interrupted
My only remaining impression of this book is how tickled I was to receive as a Christmas gift from my ultra-Conservative Aunt and Uncle a book containing titles like "The Solar Anus." I had asked for it, of course, but never got through more than a couple pieces.
Very interesting and esoteric. Bataille casts his careful eye over some obscure subjects, but I can see why he's so influential among poststructuralist thinkers. He is a darker Barthes, a more visceral Baudelaire, the textual equivalent of Max Ernst.
Provocative. Parts were beautiful and others were a hard slog to get through. He remains a fascinating thinker of the time. I'm definitely looking forward to diving into his On Nietzsche
One of the few books I brought with me when I lived in Japan. Georges Bataille is one of the great 'thinkers.' Just to spend time reading him with a glass of sake is a fond memory for me.
Feb 10, 2009
Yuval
marked it as shelved-for-later
What little I read was definitely fascinating...but it's the wrong time to really dive into this book right now. Hope to come back to it another time.
Interesting book. As he is often described as a forefather of Foucault and Baudrillard, it will be interesting to read them now and see for myself.
An awesome collection of some of Batailles most important essays.
Sep 04, 2008
robert
added it
oh, it's not easy, but boy is it good. and sometimes gross.
not the best selection, but worth it just for "The Solar Anus"
Bataille's symbolic universe is captivating.
Postmodern excess, psychoanalytic surrealism and paradox.
it's great so far i'm having a great time
Jul 22, 2008
Kathryn
added it
really great small essays.
the labyrinth
May 20, 2013
Ray Johnson
marked it as to-read
May 20, 2013
Lars
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May 18, 2013
Andrew Madrid
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May 16, 2013
Robert Sweet
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May 16, 2013
A. Basil
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May 13, 2013
Jenna
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May 13, 2013
Karolina
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French essayist, philosophical theorist and novelist, often called the "metaphysician of evil." Bataille was interested in sex, death, degradation, and the power and potential of the obscene. He rejected traditional literature and considered that the ultimate aim of all intellectual, artistic, or religious activity should be the annihilation of the rational individual in a violent, transcendental...more
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Oct 16, 2010 07:51am