185
Book · 2009
The Intimate Life of Lighters: Animism in Ultra-Modern Society
La vida íntima de los encendedores: Animismo en la sociedad ultramodernaWinner of the Málaga Essay Prize, this witty philosophical inquiry takes the everyday pocket lighter as a lens to examine how animist thinking endures in the technological age. Mexican author Ignacio Padilla argues that humans persistently attribute capricious intent and soul to inanimate objects to soften modern existential alienation.
Your call
Already know it? Recommend it too.
Details
Around the Web
That seems to be a constant: where some see an eccentricity (and others see nothing), he detects a mystery and obsesses over it like a naturalist with the missing link. In The Intimate Life of Lighters (2009), he devoted nearly 200 pages to reflecting on the symbolism of an object whose only function would seem to be lighting a vile cigarette.
Mauricio Hernández R. on Esquire As a writer, he was 'someone extremely complex, who was always concerned with the disturbing power of surroundings and objects. In my view, Nacho's best book is his essay on The Intimate Life of Lighters, which examines and reflects on how disturbing objects were to him.'
Nicolás Alvarado on Milenio Riding this current that, in my view, is the purest, noblest, and most challenging form of prose, Ignacio Padilla has not only written many books—novels, stories, and essays delving into fantasy, politics, the human soul, and everyday objects—I must say I am an admirer of his essays collected in The Intimate Life of Lighters.
Ana García Bergua on Milenio
1 / 3
Why people recommend it
No reasons shared yet. Tell others what makes this title worth their time.