
Nowhere is Perfect
French and Francophone Utopias/Dystopias
John West-Sooby(Editor)
University of Delaware Press
Published on 1. June 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
252 pages
978-0-87413-048-5 (ISBN)
Description
Utopian imaginings undoubtedly satisfy a desire for fantasy and escape. At the same time, however, they are generally anchored in the real world, whose shortcomings they criticise, implicitly or explicitly, and for which they purport to offer solutions. The creation of perfect imaginary worlds therefore serves as a means of acting on the imperfect present. This is a particular feature of French utopian writing, whose rich tradition continues to grow, inspiring authors from all parts of the Francophone world. As the essays in this volume demonstrate, the utopian - and dystopian - imaginings which constitute that tradition find expression through all genres and modes of creation. What they have in common, though, is a dissatisfaction with contemporary society and a determination to explore possibilities for a better life. A non-existent place the utopia may be. But it is precisely because there is nowhere perfect that we continue to seek the perfect nowhere.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
ISBN-13
978-0-87413-048-5 (9780874130485)
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Schweitzer Classification