Corydon
Corydon
Book Brief
Beta160
Novel • Fiction
•
French Literature•
PhilosophyFrance • Early 20th century
•
Philosophy•
World History2001
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Corydon by André Gide, translated by Richard Howard, presents a series of dialogues exploring human sexuality, particularly focusing on homosexuality. Gide challenges societal norms by advocating for acceptance and understanding of diverse sexual orientations. The work is a philosophical inquiry into love, morality, and the natural world, promoting a broader view of human relationships.
Contemplative
Mysterious
Challenging
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
567 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Corydon by André Gide, translated by Richard Howard, explores provocative themes of love and societal norms. Critics appreciate Howard's translation for maintaining the original's nuanced prose. Positive reviews highlight its bold, ahead-of-its-time discourse. However, some find its argumentation repetitious and dated. Overall, it remains significant for its challenging ideas.
Who Should Read Corydon?
A reader who appreciates philosophical essays on sexuality, human nature, and societal norms would enjoy Gide and Howard's Corydon. Comparable to those drawn to Michel Foucault's The History of Sexuality, this reader values introspective discourse and challenges to conventional thinking.
567 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
André Gide's Corydon, originally written in French, was published in a limited private edition to avoid public scandal, showcasing the controversial nature of its content during the early 20th century.
The book consists of dialogues that present a Socratic exploration of sexuality and society, which was groundbreaking and provocative at the time of its release.
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Richard Howard, an acclaimed poet and translator, provided an English translation of Corydon, bringing Gide's influential work to a broader audience while maintaining its philosophical rigor.
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160
Novel • Fiction
•
French Literature•
PhilosophyFrance • Early 20th century
•
Philosophy•
World History2001
Adult
18+ years
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