How To Read Montaigne

How to Read...

by Terence Cave

Montaigne (1533-92) is commonly regarded as an early modern sceptic, standing at the threshold of a new secular way of thinking. He is also known for his ground-breaking exploration of the 'subject' or the 'self'. Terence Cave discusses these and other key aspects of the Essais (Montaigne's major work) not as philosophical themes but as features in the mapping of a mental the project of the Essais is cognitive rather than philosophical. Similarly, he reads the Essais not as 'essays' in the literary sense but as 'trials' or 'soundings' in which the manner of writing - the shape of the sentences, the use of metaphors and other figures - is crucial. Taking passages from many different chapters of the Essais , this book guides the reader through Montaigne's investigation of the 'subtle shades and stirrings' of the mind.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Essays

112 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2013

Reviews

[Dorum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Better just read Montaigne directly

[Jo Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cave is the critic I trust most on Montaigne and this is a fabulously accessible text for anyone looking to enjoy the Essais.

[Rod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this short book quite highly. It is well written and provides a sophisticated interpretation of how to interpret Montaigne's writing, which can appear highly fragmentary (and indeed often is). I recommend that you read the book while also reading the Essays to inform the latter reading, but also because you may not always find yourself agreeing with Cave's understanding (this was sometimes the case for me), and the Essay texts will in that case provide a necessary corrective. In general, my greatest reservation is that Cave has little patience with arguments that are critical or that point to possible unresolved tensions or contradictions in the Essays. Yet we might think that these features are always present, even in a great writer.

[Anastasiia Yavorska · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great short introduction to Montaigne‘s works. Cave does not elaborate on many of his points, which might even be a good thing — it allows readers to get inspiration and insights for their own research.

[Andrew Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short book purporting to tell me how to read Montaigne. Unfortunately, I couldn't find there anything new that would raise my awareness. Perhaps, I wasn't the right audience.