Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Restless Genius
 | |
| Author | Leo Damrosch |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Houghton Mifflin[1] |
Publication date | 2005 |
| Pages | 566 |
| ISBN | 0618872027 |
Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Restless Genius is a 2005 biography by Leo Damrosch, published by Houghton Mifflin. The book depicts the life of eighteenth century philosopher, writer, composer and political theorist Jean-Jacques Rousseau, documenting his unorthodox rise from obscure beginnings in which the orphaned and unschooled Rousseau rose from meandering journeyman to one of the foremost thinkers in the Age of Enlightenment.
The book was a finalist for the 2005 National Book Award for Nonfiction.[2]
Narrative
The biography details Rousseau's life, explaining his tumultuous beginnings when his mother died shortly after birthing him and his father abandoned him during his adolescence. Rosseau spent the next few years travelling around Europe. With no formal education and penniless, he worked various jobs such as a valet, a diplomatic secretary, a teacher, and a translator for a monk. Starting at around the age of 35, Rousseau settled in Paris and began his writings for which he would be known. Rosseau's ideas about the inherent goodness of people and societal institutions' inhibition of one's true potential proved divisive in their day.
Rousseau's novel about two lovers, Julie; or, The New Heloise, published in 1761, became the most popular novel of the 18th century. He then published Emile, or on Education in 1762, an instructional book which was highly influential and became one of the most important works on raising children. In 1782, he wrote his Confessions, which was a self reflection on his life, including his many regrets and perceived shortcomings such as giving up all of his children for adoption. His confessions would become the archetype for the modern day autobiography.
Reception
Writing for The New York Times, writer Stacy Schiff stated that the biography was lacking in explaining the development of some of Rousseau's philosophical ideas and theories. However, in conclusion, Schiff states: "...Rousseau pioneered the concept that ideas fell out of experience, and the erratic, inventive urgency of the life is all here. A delight to read, Damrosch comes as close to Rousseau's authentic self as we are likely to get."[3] Writing for the Washington Post, author Michael Dirda applauded Damrosch's literary style stating: "Damrosch is an academic -- a professor of 18th-century literature at Harvard -- but he nonetheless writes for ordinary readers, with clarity, a light touch and immense zest." Darda concluded that the biography "provides an ideal introduction to both this complex man and his troubling ideas. It is an important book, but also a provocative and exceptionally entertaining one."
References
- ^ Dirda, Michael (January 31, 2024). "A philosopher who wrote with passionate eloquence about the heart and the human condition". Washington Post.
- ^ "Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Restless Genius". National Book Foundation.
- ^ Schiff, Stacy (November 6, 2005). "'Jean-Jacques Rousseau': An Unruly Mind". The New York Times.