57 pages • 1 hour read
The Argonauts
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Book Brief
160
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
2010s
2015
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Maggie Nelson’s The Argonauts is an autotheoretical work combining her personal experiences of marriage and motherhood with reflections on queer and feminist theory, psychoanalysis, and developmental psychology; the narrative loosely follows her relationship with artist Harry Dodge, their marriage, and the birth of their child, Iggy, while interweaving philosophical musings and non-linear recollections. This text deals with terminal illness and gender dysphoria.
Contemplative
Emotional
Romantic
Bittersweet
Informative
Reviews & Readership
52,710 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Maggie Nelson's The Argonauts receives high praise for its lyrical prose and profound exploration of gender, sexuality, and family. Critics commend its intellectual rigor and emotional depth. However, some find its non-linear narrative challenging. Overall, it's celebrated for its thought-provoking and deeply personal narrative style.
Who Should Read The Argonauts?
Readers who appreciate The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson are often drawn to memoirs and critical theory that explore gender, sexuality, and identity. Fans of works like Gender Trouble by Judith Butler or Ariel by Sylvia Plath will resonate with Nelson's intimate and scholarly prose that challenges conventional norms.
52,710 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
160
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
2010s
2015
Adult
18+ years
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