Against InterpretationAgainst Interpretation
Score Classic
What it's about
Susan Sontag's first collection of essays, from the early 1960s. In the title essay she argues that critics have become so busy decoding the meaning of art that they've forgotten how to experience it. Other essays take on camp, science fiction films, Camus, Godard, happenings and the new sensibility of the decade.
Why it's worth reading
It's on the Guardian's list of the best nonfiction of all time, and it made Sontag one of the most influential critics of her generation. Notes on 'Camp' still shapes how people talk about style.
You'll love it if you liked
Essays of Michel De Montaigne
Notes of a Native Son
The ArgonautsGood to know
Some essays assume knowledge of 1960s films and writers. Read the title essay and Notes on 'Camp' first.
By the numbers
- Readers69 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics80 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller13 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Thought-provoking
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Quick answers
Is Against Interpretation worth reading?
Yes. It's on the Guardian's list of the best nonfiction of all time, and it made Sontag one of the most influential critics of her generation. It ranks #410 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 79.6 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Against Interpretation about?
Susan Sontag's first collection of essays, from the early 1960s. In the title essay she argues that critics have become so busy decoding the meaning of art that they've forgotten how to experience it. Other essays take on camp, science fiction films, Camus, Godard, happenings and the new sensibility of the decade.
How long does it take to read Against Interpretation?
About 8 hours (312 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Against Interpretation?
If you liked it, try Essays of Michel De Montaigne by Michel de Montaigne, Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin or The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson.