Returning To Reims
Back of the Book
After his father dies, Didier Eribon returns to his hometown of Reims and rediscovers the working-class world he had left behind thirty years earlier. For years, Eribon had thought of his father largely in terms of the latter's intolerable homophobia. Yet his father's death provokes new reflection on Eribon's part about how multiple processes of domination intersect in a given life and in a given culture. Eribon sets out to investigate his past, the history of his family, and the trajectory of his own life. His story weaves together a set of remarkable reflections on the class system in France, on the role of the educational system in class identity, on the way both class and sexual identities are formed, and on the recent history of French politics, including the shifting voting patterns of the working classes—reflected by Eribon's own family, which changed its allegiance from the Communist Party to the National Front.
Returning to Reims is a remarkable book of sociological inquiry and critical theory, of interest to anyone concerned with the direction of leftist politics in the contemporary world, and to anyone who has ever experienced how sexual identity can clash with other parts of one's identity. A huge success in France since its initial publication in 2009, Returning to Reims received enthusiastic reviews in Le Monde, Libération, L'Express, Les Inrockuptibles, and elsewhere.
Why You Should Read It
Returning to Reims is a compelling exploration of personal and political identity that transcends traditional genres. In this autobiographical account, Eribon seamlessly intertwines his own experiences with broader reflections on class, sexuality, and societal structures. What makes the book noteworthy is Eribon's ability to navigate complex themes with a delicate balance of introspection and sociological analysis. His prose invites readers to engage with the nuances of identity and social dynamics, creating a narrative that is both deeply personal and intellectually stimulating. For those seeking a thought-provoking examination of contemporary life and a narrative that seamlessly blends memoir and social commentary, Returning to Reims is a great read we wholeheartedly recommend.
Memorable Passage
And so, when you return to the environment from which you came - which you left behind - you are somehow turning back upon yourself, returning to yourself, rediscovering an earlier self that has been both preserved and denied. Suddenly, in circumstances like these, there rises to the surface of your consciousness everything from which you imagined you had freed yourself and yet which you cannot not recognize as part of the structure of your personality - specifically the discomfort that results from belonging to two different worlds, worlds so far separated from each other that they seem irreconcilable, and yet which coexist in everything that you are.
About the Author
Didier Eribon is a French author and sociologist whose intellectual contributions extend beyond the realm of literature. Born in France, Eribon's work reflects a deep engagement with social and political issues. He gained widespread recognition for his autobiographical work Returning to Reims, where he skillfully weaves personal experiences with broader reflections on class, sexuality, and identity. Eribon's significance lies in his ability to bridge the personal and the societal, shedding light on the complexities of contemporary existence. His insightful examinations of culture and politics resonate with readers seeking a nuanced understanding of the intersections between individual lives and larger social structures. Eribon is worth knowing for his capacity to spark critical conversations that transcend the boundaries of traditional literary discourse.
Recommended By
Fiona Alison Duncan