The ArgonautsThe Argonauts
Score Modern
What it's about
Maggie Nelson tells the story of falling in love with the artist Harry Dodge, who is gender-fluid, and of building a family with him: his transition, her pregnancy, raising their son and his son together. Woven through it are her thoughts on queer theory, philosophy and art, and on whether a family like theirs can be both radical and ordinary.
Why it's worth reading
The New York Times and the Guardian both named it one of the best books of the 21st century. It's a new kind of memoir, intimate and intellectual, and it changed how many readers think about love and gender.
You'll love it if you liked
The Cost of Living
The Years
Fun Home: A Family TragicomicGood to know
It's written in short fragments and quotes many theorists, which can feel academic. There's frank writing about sex and childbirth.
By the numbers
- Readers44 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics80 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller23 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
- #145 of the 290 memoirs and biographies we rank
- #457 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #879 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
True story, Moving
If you like this, read next
Between the World and Me
The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer
Educated: A Memoir
When Breath Becomes Air
The Passage of Power
American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert OppenheimerExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is The Argonauts worth reading?
Yes. The New York Times and the Guardian both named it one of the best books of the 21st century. It ranks #879 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 74.2 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Argonauts about?
Maggie Nelson tells the story of falling in love with the artist Harry Dodge, who is gender-fluid, and of building a family with him: his transition, her pregnancy, raising their son and his son together. Woven through it are her thoughts on queer theory, philosophy and art, and on whether a family like theirs can be both radical and ordinary.
How long does it take to read The Argonauts?
About 4 hours (158 pages), or about 8 days at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Argonauts?
If you liked it, try The Cost of Living by Deborah Levy, The Years by Annie Ernaux or Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel.