Writers As Public Intellectuals ― Literature, Celebrity, Democracy

The theme of public intellectuals has become a familiar feature in discussions on contemporary societies and the transformation of public spheres. Questions about the cultural authority, the social commitment, responsibility and activism of particular figures (philosophers, artists and authors, academic researchers, politicians) have been central in these debates. Writers As Public Intellectuals reflects on the power of current public intellectuals writing literature and using literary techniques and devices. Figures discussed include Michel Houellebecq, Bernard Henri-Levy and Ayaan Hirsi Ali, amongst others, and the book offers a fascinating comparative account of intellectuals operating and 'performing' across a range of European countries.

Odile Heynders is Professor of Comparative Literature at Tilburg University in the Netherlands. Her research interests include contemporary literary history, intellectual history and cultural studies, and her publications include articles in journals such as the European Journal of Life Writing, Journal of Dutch Literature and a chapter in New Public Spheres: Recontextualising the Intellectual (ed. Thijssen et al, 2013).