“Possible loves – are for fools – The wise have – impossible loves,” reads a journal fragment from Christian mystic Simone Weil, whose life and works are examined here amid a seemingly unlikely assortment of topics. An argument for maintaining a reverence for commitment while rejecting a traditional, sentimental embrace of outmoded family structures becomes an inquiry into Weil’s drive toward self-sacrifice. A consideration of what Weil might have had in common with libertine and frequent critic Georges Bataille develops into a discussion of Timothy Treadwell, the tragic, grizzly-bear-enamored subject of Werner Herzog’s Grizzly Man. Later, delving into the tradition of reticence in American poetry is brought into relief against the author’s own experience at Burning Man, where the beat never stops. Like a long discussion with a sharply intelligent friend, Impossible Loves moves effortlessly from topic to topic without ever losing its focus. “Nearly every paper in my academic career has the secret or not-so-secret message of ‘please, please try to love one another,’ and I think it would not be exaggerating to say that many, if not most, works of art have exactly this message as well,” McNellis writes, admitting in the same essay that “emotions are embarrassing.” Embarrassing, complex, even impossible though it may be, love is still the answer – but that doesn’t make the questions any less interesting.

Impossible Loves: Essays

Literature & Fiction

McNellis, Erin

History & Criticism

Rock Paper Tiger Press

<p>BEFORE AND AFTER MICHAEL is a witty, naughty, very modern Manhattan romance that asks questions about the nature of monogamy, social class, memory, and coming out. Wealthy finance man Drew Farrow and carefree dilettante Jesse Landon have been happily, exclusively together for ten years. Neither of them is prepared for the effect that tall, shy Michael Kaminsky will have on them when they meet the handsome lighting engineer on the set of a new play! Is it just lust, or are the deeper feelings a sign that Jesse and Drew's relationship has run its course? Or-maybe-they can both have him!</p>

Before and After Michael

Jefferson, Jemiah

Erotica

See the best price to sell, buy or rent books by the Rock Paper Tiger Press publisher. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Rock Paper Tiger Press