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Held by Form

Feminism, Poetics, Critical Practice
By Anna Moser
Series: Thinking Literature
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Brief Description
How contemporary poetry illuminates the workings—and struggles—of commitment in feminism. In this lucid and vigorous defence of poetics for feminism, Anna Moser situates the practice of contemporary poetry in an exploratory dialogue with the work of philosophical, critical, and historical thinkers—placing Denise Riley in conversation with... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$5499
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Releases 9th March 2027 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "Held by Form" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

How contemporary poetry illuminates the workings—and struggles—of commitment in feminism.

In this lucid and vigorous defence of poetics for feminism, Anna Moser situates the practice of contemporary poetry in an exploratory dialogue with the work of philosophical, critical, and historical thinkers—placing Denise Riley in conversation with Judith Butler, Lyn Hejinian with Hannah Arendt, m. nourbeSe philip with Saidiya Hartman, and Susan Howe with Emily Dickinson.

Moser's central theme is these poets' questioning, agonistic commitment to feminism. What, the book asks, does it mean to be committed? How does such a commitment materialise? What are its consequences? What does it mean not to take for granted an affiliation like "feminist" (or even "woman"), but rather to involve one's art in probing its historical formations, present conditions, and future trajectories? Moser explores both the risks and possibilities of making art in this equivocal condition. She reveals that the poetry of certain contemporary writers not only unfolds within this space of agonistic commitment, but that, in doing so, it offers an important contribution to feminist thinking. Moser's book also shows that while form is a constraint that limits these poets' freedom, it also holds them in a more sustaining sense, allowing something belatedly and imperfectly to be said.

In dialogue with feminist political theory, philosophy, historiography, and aesthetics, Held by Form reveals poetics as a unique mode of critical practice: one that models relations of care and collectivity, refigures inherited forms in ways that contest their hierarchies of value, and responds with generosity and openness to the complexities of living in gender.

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  • Pre-order
    Held by Form
    How contemporary poetry illuminates the workings—and struggles—of commitment in feminism. In this lucid and vigorous defence of poetics for feminism, Anna Moser situates the practice of contemporary poetry in an exploratory dialogue with the work of philosophical, critical, and historical thinkers—placing Denise Riley in conversation with Judith Butler, Lyn Hejinian with Hannah Arendt, m. nourbeSe philip with Saidiya Hartman, and...
    By Anna Moser
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    Out 9 Mar 2027

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780226854939

Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 21 January 2027

Country: United States

Imprint: University of Chicago Press

Illustration: 10 halftones

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 454g

Pages: 224

Collections

Anna Moser Arts & Culture Non-Fiction Non-Fiction Pre-Orders Pre-order Books Pre-orders Pre-orders by Release Date Series: Thinking Literature

About the Author

Anna Moser is a writer and artist based in West Sussex, UK. 

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