In 'Mating', Norman Rush takes readers on a provocative journey into the heart of the Botswana wilderness, where a young American woman seeks to unravel the complexities of love, identity, and the human experience. This captivating narrative intricately weaves themes of feminism, politics, and existentialism, challenging conventional notions of relationships. As she navigates her desires amidst cultural tensions, the protagonist encounters a mysterious anthropologist who opens her eyes to a world of intellectual and emotional possibilities. The exploration of mating transcends mere biology, probing deeper into the intricacies of human connection and societal expectations. With its rich prose and challenging ideas, 'Mating' leaves readers pondering the nature of love and self-discovery long after the final page.
By Norman Rush
Published: 1992
""We are all born with the capacity to love, but as we grow, we often forget what it means to truly connect with another soul.""
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER • Is love between equals possible? This modern classic is a delightful intellectual love story that explores the deepest canyons of romantic love even as it asks large questions about society, geopolitics, and the mystery of what men and women really want. “Luminous…Few books evoke the state of love at its apogee.” —The New York Times Book Review “The best rendering of erotic politics…since D.H. Lawrence…The voice of Rush’s narrator is immediate, instructive and endearing.” —The New York Review of Books The narrator of this splendidly expansive novel of high intellect and grand passion is an American anthropologist at loose ends in the South African republic of Botswana. She has a noble and exacting mind, a compelling waist, and a busted thesis project. She also has a yen for Nelson Denoon, a charismatic intellectual who is rumored to have founded a secretive and unorthodox utopian society in a remote corner of the Kalahari—one in which he is virtually the only man. What ensues is an exhilarating quest and an exuberant comedy of manners: “A dryly comic love story about grown-up people who take the life of the mind seriously.” —Newsweek
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“"We are all born with the capacity to love, but as we grow, we often forget what it means to truly connect with another soul."”
Mating
By Norman Rush
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Norman Rush is an acclaimed American author known for his insightful explorations of societal and personal themes. His notable works include the National Book Award-winning novel 'Mating,' which delves into the complexities of relationships and cultural dynamics in Botswana, and 'Mortals,' a narrative that examines the moral intricacies of the modern world. Rush's writing style is characterized by its intellectual rigor, rich prose, and keen psychological insights, often blending sharp wit with profound philosophical inquiries.
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