At the Borders of Sleep: On Liminal Literature by Peter Schwenger

by Peter Schwenger

At the Borders of Sleep is a unique exploration of the connections between literature and the liminal states between waking and sleeping—from falling asleep and waking up, to drowsiness and insomnia, to states in which sleeping and waking mix. Delving into philosophy as well as literature, Peter Schwenger investigates the threshold between waking and sleeping as an important and productive state between the forced march of rational thought and the oblivion of unconsciousness. While examining literary representations of the various states between waking and sleeping, At the Borders of Sleep also analyzes how writers and readers alike draw on and enter into these states. To do so Schwenger reads a wide range of authors for whom the borders of sleep are crucial, including Marcel Proust, Stephen King, Paul Valéry, Fernando Pessoa, Franz Kafka, Giorgio de Chirico, Virginia Woolf, Philippe Sollers, and Robert Irwin. Considering drowsiness, insomnia, and waking up, he looks at such subjects as the hypnagogic state, the experience of reading and why it is different from full consciousness, the relationships between insomnia and writing and why insomnia is often a source of creative insight, and the persistence of liminal elements in waking thought. A final chapter focuses on literature that blurs dream and waking life, giving special attention to experimental writing. Ultimately arguing that, taking place on the edges of consciousness, both the reading and writing of literature are liminal experiences, At the Borders of Sleep suggests new ways to think about the nature of literature and consciousness.

Genres: Nonfiction, Essays

Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Денис Бурчаков · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a nice book, essentially a 4-piece essay about zone between wake and sleep, between real and fantasy. Author does a great job redefining these terms and proving, that they are pretty meaningless, because we instill them with meaning and do it in variety of ways. This is an excellent intro to liminal literature. Maybe too french-inclined, but who cares?

[Ernie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting companion book to liminal literature and the philosophical subjects regarding sleep. Some passages from the author really spoke to me personally and voiced thoughts and feelings I have regarding my own philosophical stance in the world. While I deeply appreciate these nuggets much of the text is purely quotes and examples supporting the author's argument. I found myself a little tired of long pages filled with referential text and less of the argument itself. Definitely worth multiple readings, however, as I found myself "dozing" through sections and the text certainly accomplishes what it sets out to do in an interestingly non-fiction sort of genre -- induce waking hypnagogic thought.

[غبار · Rating 2 out of 5]

nice sourcebook with mediocre commentary

[Karla Huebner]

I first ran across this in the publisher's catalog and was mildly intrigued, then soon after had the chance to get a copy at a conference. As a relatively small, physically lightweight book that stirred my imagination, it seemed like the perfect thing to read on the subway going back and forth to the conference. And it did not disappoint. The book explores the topic of sleep (falling asleep, hynogogia, sleeplessness, waking--but not dreams) via literary texts and occasional references to science. The texts are used not to illustrate examples of literary sleep, but are a vehicle for analyzing human experience (particularly that of writers) as we negotiate stages of sleep and wakefulness. It's intelligent, and simultaneously poetic and pretty clearly written. I quite enjoyed it.