Incidents

Roland Barthes, the French philosopher and literary theorist, was a major figure in twentieth-century post-structuralist thought. Several of his best-known works, S/Z among them, concern the individual relationship between a reader and a text. Incidents opens a door onto his own life and thinking, and it reflects his conviction that a literary work should draw the reader into full, active participation.

The pieces collected here first appeared in French shortly after Barthes died. They shed light on his private life, his struggles and his pleasures. Barthes was doubtful about keeping a journal with publication in mind, yet he carried out a diary-like experiment in four parts. The title section is a personal account of his time living in Morocco. 'The Light of the Southwest' pays tribute to his favourite region of France, and 'At Le Palace Tonight' portrays a lively Paris night spot. The journal entries of 'Evenings in Paris' show him as an older gay man wrestling with his desire for younger lovers.

This edition offers a new, lyrical translation and is illustrated with photographs by Bishan Samaddar. It will appeal to readers who know Barthes's other work, and to anyone curious about the inner world of one of the century's leading intellectuals.