Mimesis and Alterity: A Particular History of the Senses

Taussig has been described as a high theorist writing as a beatnik novelist. A pretty good description, it seems to me. In my eyes, or in my sensuous 'history' of personal awareness, this book appears as a welcomed aid for those familiar with critical theory, from Foucault to Kristeva to Derrida to Bourdieu, etc. He places 'mimesis' within a multitude of contexts, each of which redefines the wor[l]d, the effect of which releases concepts that have become conventional tools for cultural theory from their static availability and performs an invented space (mimetic) that stuns the senses. If writing is a mimetic endeavor (as Taussig claims), then reading this book is equally an opportunity to mimetically become alter to oneself. He's a unique writer, a breathe of fresh air, someone to take your time with.

I first read this text in undergraduate studies - to this day it remains one of my favourite books.It is distinguished by Taussig's ability to both blend sharp anthropological insight with nuanced reading of philosophical theory. This strengthens his anthropology and adds to the understanding of key Critical Theory exponents.He adds rigour to anthropological practice and substance to philosophical theory - both difficult tasks.A text of great import to the humanities generally.

This book is like an intellectual stream of consciousness. I’m sure there are some good ideas in here somewhere but I wish it were a more conventional exposition.

un muy buen texto que recomendaría a todos, explica la visión del mundo de la sociedad a la que estudia

Delivered as promised.

i had to read this book for a graduate level course in anthropology focused on alterity and otherness. this was the first book of the course and we were given a week to read it.Taussig jumps right into the topic at hand, because this book relies heavily on previous works. so the reader may wish to do some background reading as they go in order to better understand the first 2 chapters, or simply re read them upon completion, and it will all come together. this is a good book for discussing Mimesis, but it is a long read. I'd only read it if i had to. honestly, at first it looked good, then it was confusing, then perhaps redundant.