Incarnation of Language: Joyce, Proust and a Philosophy of the Flesh (Continuum Literary Studies) [Hardcover]

Michael O'Sullivan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2008 | ISBN-10: 1847060471 | ISBN-13: 978-1847060471 | Edition: First Edition

The Incarnation of Language investigates how the notion of incarnation has been employed in phenomenology and how this has influenced literary criticism. It then examines the interest that Joyce and Proust share in the concept of incarnation. By examining the themes of synthesis and embodiment that incarnation connotes for these writers, it offers a new reading of their work departing from critical readings that have privileged notions of radical alterity and difference.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Showing how literary theory and criticism needs to be reconnected to its theological analogues, O'Sullivan's original and well-argued book should be essential reading for anyone concerned with embodiment, reading and desire in modern culture.'
Roy Sellars, University of Southern Denmark

"The books, articles and essays of Joyce and Proust continue to hold a special interest for new generations of students of literature, philosophy, and theology. The Incarnation of Language: Joyce, Proust and a Philosophy of the Flesh by Michael O'Sullivan (Assistant Professor in English at Nagoya University of Commerce and Business, Japan) is an elegant and scholarly study of the concept of incarnation as these towering figures of western literature employed it within their writings. Considering how notions of the phenomena of incarnation are found embedded in their themes provides modern readers with fresh, fascinating, and informative insights into nuances of these two men's works hitherto overlooked. A work of meticulous and seminal scholarship of the highest order, The Incarnation of Language must be considered as a critically essential contribution for academic library reference collections and an important addition to the supplemental reading lists for students of the works of both Joyce and Proust." - Midwest Book Review, November 2008

"...stimulating reading for those with an interest in phenomenological--theological approaches to literature. Proustians and Joyceans looking for alternative approaches to their corpus will also find substantial food for thought." - French Studies, January 2009

"The implications of the ideas propounded in this book will no doubt trigger further investigations, but in themselves they provide a very welcome philosophical reading of Proust, Joyce, and Modernism."

Modern Language Review, 104.4, 2009

Briefly reviewed in the Year's work in English Studies journal, vol 89, No. 1 'His argument is novel and engaged with both the Joycean and the Proustian corpus'

'Showing how literary theory and criticism needs to be reconnected to its theological analogues, O’Sullivan’s original and well-argued book should be essential reading for anyone concerned with embodiment, reading and desire in modern culture.'
Roy Sellars, University of Southern Denmark

“The books, articles and essays of Joyce and Proust continue to hold a special interest for new generations of students of literature, philosophy, and theology. The Incarnation of Language: Joyce, Proust and a Philosophy of the Flesh by Michael O’Sullivan (Assistant Professor in English at Nagoya University of Commerce and Business, Japan) is an elegant and scholarly study of the concept of incarnation as these towering figures of western literature employed it within their writings. Considering how notions of the phenomena of incarnation are found embedded in their themes provides modern readers with fresh, fascinating, and informative insights into nuances of these two men’s works hitherto overlooked. A work of meticulous and seminal scholarship of the highest order, The Incarnation of Language must be considered as a critically essential contribution for academic library reference collections and an important addition to the supplemental reading lists for students of the works of both Joyce and Proust.” - Midwest Book Review, November 2008

"...stimulating reading for those with an interest in phenomenological–theological approaches to literature. Proustians and Joyceans looking for alternative approaches to their corpus will also find substantial food for thought." - French Studies, January 2009

Briefly reviewed in the Year’s work in English Studies journal, vol 89, No. 1 'His argument is novel and engaged with both the Joycean and the Proustian corpus’

About the Author

Michael O'Sullivan is Assistant Professor in English at The Chinese University of Hong Kong; He is author of Michel Henry: Incarnation, Barbarism and Belief (Peter Lang, 2006).

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Continuum; First Edition edition (July 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1847060471
• ISBN-13: 978-1847060471
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,421,822 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Fresh, fascinating, and informative insights into nuances of these two men's works, November 10, 2008

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Incarnation of Language: Joyce, Proust and a Philosophy of the Flesh (Continuum Literary Studies) (Hardcover)

The books, articles and essays of Joyce and Proust continue to hold a special interest for new generations of students of literature, philosophy, and theology. "The Incarnation Of Language: Joyce, Proust And A Philosophy Of The Flesh" by Michael O'Sullivan (Assistant Professor in English at Nagoya University of Commerce and Business, Japan) is an elegant and scholarly study of the concept of incarnation has these towering figures of western literature employed it within their writings. Considering how notions of the phenomena of incarnation are found embedded in their themes provides modern readers with fresh, fascinating, and informative insights into nuances of these two men's works hitherto overlooked. A work of meticulous and seminal scholarship of the highest order, "The Incarnation Of Language" must be considered as a critically essential contribution for academic library reference collections and an important addition to the supplemental reading lists for students of the works of both Joyce and Proust.