Roland Barthes by Roland Barthes

In his autobiography, one of the 20th century’s most cited philosophers reveals his political and theoretical views, explains key ideas and terminology, and discusses his understanding of friendship and love. 

Roland Barthes by Roland Barthes is a fascinating intellectual autobiography of one of the most often cited thinkers of the 20th Century. In this text, Barthes attempts to provide an ‘objective’ view of his life, regarding himself from a distance, whilst presenting a genuine and highly personal diary account. Through a mosaic of memories and flashbacks, Barthes formulates his political and theoretical views, explains his main ideas and terms and discusses his understanding of friendship and love. And it is not surprising that Barthes compares intellectual life with love: the way in which the joy of cognition or an unexpected new idea provides a dose of adrenaline comparable to an encounter with a loved one. Moreover, it is also a book about freedom: freedom of thought, freedom from the myths and stereotypes imposed by society, and above all, freedom from language clichés and conventions.