The work that first brought critic Susan Sontag attention, and teed her up to join the unenviable (in the end) circle of those “famous for being famous,” were essays she wrote in her twenties for the small magazine Partisan Review, a place that perhaps tops the list of upstart American journals punching above their weight in influence.
Having been quoted, and spoken to others ditto, I know how much was not, ultimately, taken into account. Most of it about really loving her and her work. When I think of the male monsters of that generation ... am not seeing them getting this treatment.
Part 2 just posted! The moment seemed to call for a comprehensive review of SS's work and influence, which was I fear beyond my little powers.... Did my best.
Sontag died while I was working on Margaret Fuller, and at the time I was struck by a similar --perhaps unconscious--"movement" in establishment thinking on the death of a great (female) thinker and writer, to erase the achievement in scandalous gossip, with specific reference to the female body. Same thing happened to Wollstonecraft. I am so grateful for Ann's corrective here. Brava. X
What an apt analogy. I bet we could think of more. Thank you April! Reading this kind of stuff stirs a kind of primal fear--don't put yourself out there, or this is coming for you.
Splendid, splendid--I cannot wait for part 2!
Thank you, thank you, migliore etc...!
I echo April’s thoughts
And you were there!
and now I will avoid the book.... but again looking forward to part 2....
Oh, Ann, thank you so much for this!!
Having been quoted, and spoken to others ditto, I know how much was not, ultimately, taken into account. Most of it about really loving her and her work. When I think of the male monsters of that generation ... am not seeing them getting this treatment.
Part 2 just posted! The moment seemed to call for a comprehensive review of SS's work and influence, which was I fear beyond my little powers.... Did my best.
Sontag died while I was working on Margaret Fuller, and at the time I was struck by a similar --perhaps unconscious--"movement" in establishment thinking on the death of a great (female) thinker and writer, to erase the achievement in scandalous gossip, with specific reference to the female body. Same thing happened to Wollstonecraft. I am so grateful for Ann's corrective here. Brava. X
Yes, exactly! Thank you, April.
What an apt analogy. I bet we could think of more. Thank you April! Reading this kind of stuff stirs a kind of primal fear--don't put yourself out there, or this is coming for you.