Simone de beauvoir, por ella misma

by Simone de Beauvoir

112 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1979

About the author

Simone de Beauvoir was a French existentialist philosopher, novelist, essayist, memoirist, and feminist whose writings profoundly shaped twentieth-century philosophy, literature, and modern feminist thought. Born in Paris into a bourgeois Catholic family, she displayed exceptional intellectual ability from an early age. After studying philosophy at the Sorbonne, she passed the prestigious agrégation examination in 1929, becoming one of its youngest successful candidates. During her studies she met Jean-Paul Sartre, with whom she formed a lifelong intellectual and personal partnership that became central to the development of French existentialism. Although Beauvoir often rejected the title of philosopher during her lifetime, her work established her as one of the discipline's most influential modern thinkers. She explored themes of freedom, responsibility, ethics, oppression, and human existence through both philosophical and literary writing. Her groundbreaking book The Second Sex (1949) transformed feminist theory by arguing that femininity is shaped primarily by social and historical conditions rather than biology, introducing the celebrated idea that "one is not born, but rather becomes, woman." The work challenged traditional assumptions about gender and became one of the foundational texts of contemporary feminism. Beauvoir also authored influential philosophical studies, including The Ethics of Ambiguity, alongside acclaimed novels such as She Came to Stay, The Blood of Others, The Mandarins, which received the Prix Goncourt in 1954, and The Woman Destroyed. Her four-volume autobiography, beginning with Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter, remains an important account of twentieth-century intellectual and cultural life. Throughout her career she served as co-founder and editor of the influential journal Les Temps Modernes, contributing essays on politics, literature, philosophy, and contemporary social issues. Beyond her writing, Beauvoir was deeply engaged in public life. She campaigned for women's rights, reproductive freedom, and social equality, signing the Manifesto of the 343 that called for the legalization of abortion in France. She also opposed colonialism, criticized social injustice, and supported progressive political causes throughout her life. Her travels inspired widely read travel books and essays examining cultures in the United States and China. Beauvoir's legacy extends far beyond feminism, influencing existential philosophy, literary criticism, political theory, ethics, sociology, and gender studies. Despite continuing debate over aspects of her personal life and controversial relationships, her intellectual contributions remain central to modern scholarship. Her books have been translated into numerous languages and continue to be studied worldwide for their philosophical depth and literary achievement. Honored with distinctions including the Prix Goncourt, the Jerusalem Prize, and the Austrian State Prize for European Literature, Simone de Beauvoir is widely regarded as one of the defining intellectual figures of the twentieth century, whose writings permanently transformed discussions of gender, freedom, morality, and the human condition while continuing to inspire scholars, writers, and activists across generations.

Reviews

[Sofía · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Ile JB · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestamente leí el libro porque llegó a mí por casualidad y, salvo un par de frases sobre lo que ha significado la vida y la pasión por la escritura para Simone, es un libro tan breve y en el que la entrevistadora toca tantos temas que seguramente lo habré olvidado en pocos días.

Creo que es un libro bueno para aquellos que están adentrados en el mundo de Simone para conocer un poco de sus motivaciones, sus inspiraciones y su percepción de la vida; pero bien se puede obtener lo mismo de algunos de sus textos más importantes como “El segundo sexo”.

Al final uno se queda con un sabor de boca bastante meh.

[Maria Azpiroz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Libro breve que es la transcripción de la los diálogos de una película sobre Simone de Beauvoir del 78. Se destacan alguna partes en las que Sartre oficia de entrevistador, pero en general, no me deslumbró . Tal parece el Castor era mejor escritora que oradora . Es un texto breve que se lee en una hora, no está mal pero al lado de su literatura y ni que hablar, la autobiográfica, es un texto olvidable.

[Valentina Toscano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mi primer libro prestado por la red de bibliotecas de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires.

Simone de Beauvior se convirtió indiscutiblemente en una de mis autoras favoritas.
"[...] Esa era la clase de literatura que yo tenía ganas de hacer, una literatura que hablara íntimamente a las personas, y tal vez fundamentalmente, ya en esa época, a las mujeres"