Description
Book Synopsis: NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A NEW YORK TIMES MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK • A timely, passionate, provocative, blisteringly smart interrogation of how we make and experience art in the age of cancel culture, and of the link between genius and monstrosity. Can we love the work of controversial classic and contemporary artists but dislike the artist? "A lively, personal exploration of how one might think about the art of those who do bad things" —Vanity Fair
“Monsters leaves us with Dederer’s passionate commitment to the artists whose work most matters to her, and a framework to address these questions about the artists who matter most to us.” —The Washington Post
“[Dederer] breaks new ground, making a complex cultural conversation feel brand new.” —Ada Calhoun, author of Also a Poet
From the author of the New York Times best seller Poser and the acclaimed memoir Love and Trouble, Monsters is “part memoir, part treatise, and all treat” (The New York Times). This unflinching, deeply personal book expands on Claire Dederer’s instantly viral Paris Review essay, “What Do We Do with the Art of Monstrous Men?”
Can we love the work of artists such as Hemingway, Sylvia Plath, Miles Davis, Polanski, or Picasso? Should we? Dederer explores the audience’s relationship with artists from Michael Jackson to Virginia Woolf, asking: How do we balance our undeniable sense of moral outrage with our equally undeniable love of the work? Is male monstrosity the same as female monstrosity? And if an artist is also a mother, does one identity inexorably, and fatally, interrupt the other? In a more troubling vein, she wonders if an artist needs to be a monster in order to create something great. Does genius deserve special dispensation? Does art have a mandate to depict the darker elements of the psyche? And what happens if the artist stares too long into the abyss?
Highly topical, morally wise, honest to the core, Monsters is certain to incite a conversation about whether and how we can separate artists from their art.
Details
Are you a fan of thought-provoking and controversial art? Introducing Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma, a National Bestseller and a highly anticipated book featured in The New York Times. This timely and passionate exploration dives deep into the connection between artistic genius and monstrosity, examining how we make and experience art in the age of cancel culture. With its provocative insights, Monsters challenges us to grapple with the age-old question: Can we love the work of controversial artists while disliking the artist themselves? Brace yourself for a lively and personal exploration that will leave you with renewed appreciation for the power of art.
Delve into the pages of Monsters and join author Claire Dederer on an intellectual journey. Engross yourself in her unflinching and deeply personal perspective, as she expands on her viral Paris Review essay, "What Do We Do with the Art of Monstrous Men?" From Hemingway to Polanski, from Virginia Woolf to Picasso, Dederer fearlessly tackles the delicate balance between moral outrage and undeniable love for their art. Furthermore, she dives into the complex dynamics of gender, motherhood, and artistic greatness, challenging our assumptions and forcing us to question whether artistic genius can coexist with personal flaws.
Monsters is not just a book; it's a conversation starter. The Washington Post raves about Dederer's passionate commitment to the artists who matter the most. With its groundbreaking approach and fresh perspective, Monsters breathes new life into the cultural conversation. Ada Calhoun, acclaimed author of "Also a Poet," hails the book as a must-read, as it explores the nuances of art and morality in a way that feels unprecedented.
And now, it's your turn to join the conversation. Don't miss out on this morally wise and honest exploration of today's art world. Discover why Monsters is a book that will captivate and challenge readers in equal measure. Take the plunge into the depths of the artistic psyche and explore the questions that have perplexed art enthusiasts for centuries. Visit our website now to get your hands on a copy of Monsters and let the debate begin!
Get your copy of Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma and join the conversation today!
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