The Argonauts is a book by poet and critic Maggie Nelson, published in 2015. It mixes philosophical theory with memoir.[1] The book discusses her romantic relationship with the transgender artist Harry Dodge leading to her pregnancy as well as topics ranging from the death of a parent, transgender embodiment, academia, familial relationships, and the limitations of language.[2] Nelson also explores and criticizes ideas from several philosophers including Gilles Deleuze, Judith Butler and Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick.[3] The title is a reference to Roland Barthes' idea that to love someone is similar to an Argonaut who constantly replaces parts of their ship without the ship changing names.[4] The book won a National Book Critics Circle Award for criticism for books published in 2015.[5]
 | |
| Author | Maggie Nelson |
|---|---|
| Genre | Autotheory |
| Publisher | Graywolf Press |
Publication date | 2015 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 160 |
| ISBN | 1555977073 |
Reception
editAccording to Book Marks, the book received "rave" reviews based on fourteen critic reviews with eleven being "rave" and three being "positive".[6] On Bookmarks September/October 2015 issue, a magazine that aggregates critic reviews of books, the book received a 
(4.0 out of 5) from based on critic reviews with a critical summary saying, "The Argonauts, "a loose yet intricate tapestry of memoir, criticism and gentle polemic [and] a magnificent achievement of thought, care and art" (Los Angeles Times), should interest readers of all kinds".[7][8]
References
edit- ^ Als, Hilton (April 11, 2016). "Maggie Nelson's Many Selves". The New Yorker. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- ^ Fontenot, Andrea (July 13, 2015). "Unpacking Maggie Nelson's 'The Argonauts'". KCET. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
- ^ Marcus, Sara (April 30, 2015). "Review: An intimate look at a fluid family in Maggie Nelson's 'The Argonauts'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
- ^ Feigel, Lara (March 27, 2016). "The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson review – a radical approach to genre and gender". The Guardian. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
- ^ Dean, Michelle (March 18, 2016). "Margo Jefferson and Maggie Nelson win National Book Critics Circle Awards". The Guardian. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
- ^ "The Argonauts". Book Marks. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
- ^ "The Argonauts". Bookmarks. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
- ^ "The Argonauts". Bibliosurf (in French). 2023-10-04. Retrieved 2023-10-04.
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