The Contradictions of Freedom: Philosophical Essays on Simone de Beauvoir's The Mandarins

The essential companion to Simone de Beauvoir's celebrated novel.

This unique collection examines the various contradictions of freedom in Simone de Beauvoir's The Mandarins, the tumultuous epic about the personal and political lives of post?World War II French intellectuals. Fifty years after its publication, Beauvoir's book transcends the narrow confines of time and place to speak powerfully to audiences today. Contributors address political turmoil, collective responsibility, individual choice and commitment, love relationships, subjectivity, art, and freedom. With an extensive introduction that explores the historical period surrounding France after World War II, Beauvoir's own account of the novel's creation, and the initial reception of the novel around the world, this book is an essential companion to Beauvoir's celebrated novel.

“…a valuable addition to Beauvoir scholarship…” — APA Newsletter on Feminism and Philosophy

"This exciting and important text, with its impressive group of contributors, is vital to Beauvoir scholarship since it challenges philosophers to integrate a discussion of Beauvoir's literary works into the traditional discussion of her ethics and feminist philosophy. It makes an invaluable contribution." ? Margaret A. Simons, editor of Simone de Beauvoir's Philosophical Writings

"The collection strikes a perfect balance between analyzing the novel on its own terms and relating it to 'real life' political and cultural issues, as well as to Beauvoir's nonfiction and the work of Sartre, Husserl, Hegel, and Foucault. It's a must read for Beauvoir scholars, as well as for the broader community of philosophers who work on existentialism, feminist philosophy, and the relationship of philosophy and literature." ? Shannon Sullivan, author of Living Across and Through Skins: Transactional Bodies, Pragmatism, and Feminism

Contributors include Peg Brand, Thomas W. Busch, Eleanore Holveck, Sonia Kruks, William L. McBride, Jen McWeeny, Shannon M. Mussett, Sally J. Scholz, Ursula Tidd, Karen Vintges, and Gail Weiss.