Preview added to your library
The Elusive Embrace By: Daniel Mendelsohn

The Elusive Embrace - Desire and the Riddle of Identity

Vintage

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Rate this book!

( 103 customer ratings)

In order to rate this item, you must sign in first.

Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, January 2012

Synopsis

Hailed for its searing emotional insights, and for the astonishing originality with which it weaves together personal history, cultural essay, and readings of classical texts by Sophocles, Ovid, Euripides, and Sappho, The Elusive Embrace is a profound exploration of the mysteries of identity.  It is also a meditation in which the author uses his own divided life to investigate the "rich conflictedness of things," the double lives all of us lead.

Daniel Mendelsohn recalls the deceptively quiet suburb where he grew up, torn between his mathematician father's pursuit of scientific truth and the exquisite lies spun by his Orthodox Jewish grandfather; the streets of manhattan's newest "gay ghetto," where "desire for love" competes with "love of desire;" and the quiet moonlit house where a close friend's small son teaches him the meaning of fatherhood.  And, finally, in a neglected Jewish cemetery, the author uncovers a  family secret that reveals the universal need for storytelling, for inventing myths of the self.  The book that Hilton Als calls "equal to Whitman's 'Song of Myself,'" The Elusive Embrace marks a dazzling literary debut.


From the Trade Paperback edition.
Preview added to your library

The Elusive Embrace - Desire and the Riddle of Identity

Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, January 2012
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
( 103 customer ratings)

You Might Like:

eBook Information

Imprint: Vintage
ISBN: 9780307809872
Language:  English
Download options: Adobe DRM EPUB

Files Available for Download

If you use one of Kobo's free reading apps you won't need to worry about download options most of the time. Your Kobo reading app can easily add Kobo Store books to your library for a seamless reading experience.

Download options matter when:

  • You want to read your book on an eReader other than the Kobo eReader (see here for a list of supported eReaders).
  • The book you want is only available as an Adobe DRM PDF.

In both of these cases you will need to:

  1. Download a copy of your book to your computer.
  2. Open the book using a free application called Adobe Digital Editions.

You can also use Digital Editions to transfer the book to your eReader. See here for more information on Digital Editions.

Read this on:

  • Desktop More

    Kobo Desktop App

    You can read this item on your computer using our free Kobo Desktop Application. This application lets you read, manage your library of eBooks, and even shop for new ones. Check out our demo for more information!

    Download it now for PC!

    Download App!

    Mac user? Click here

    Download it now for Mac!

    Download App!

    PC user? Click here

    Learn More »
  • eReaders More

    eReading Devices

    You can read this item on your Kobo eReader (or other select electronic reading devices). The Kobo eReader lets you carry your whole library with you, so that you can read on the go.

    Visit kobo.com/ereaders »
  • Tablets More

    Tablets

    You can read this item on select tablets using one of our free Kobo apps. These apps let you read, manage your library of eBooks, and even shop for new ones.

    Learn More »
  • Kobo Vox More

    Kobo Vox

    You can read this item on your Kobo Vox eReader. The Kobo Vox eReader lets you read books with color, sound or interactive elements. Check out our demo for more information on the Kobo Vox.

    Learn More »
  • Kobo Arc More

    Kobo Arc

    You can read this item on your Kobo Arc using the Library app. This app lets you read, manage your library of eBooks, and shop for new books.

    Learn More »
  • Android More

    Android

    You can read this item on any Android device (phone, tablet) with one of our free Kobo apps. These apps let you read, manage your library of eBooks, and even shop for new ones.

    Learn More »
  • iPhone More

    iPhone

    You can read this item on the free Kobo app for iPhone. This app let you read, manage your library of eBooks, and even shop for new ones.

    Download the iPhone App! Learn More »

Goodreads Reviews for The Elusive Embrace

{1}

By: {2}

Available on: {3}

Coming soon

Secure Transaction

Subtotal

Store Credit

Total

We'll charge your credit card {4} on {3}.

We'll charge your credit card {4} when the book is added to your Library.

Your store credit covers the cost of this purchase, so we don't charge your credit card

Use Quick Buy for all eBook purchases.
{0}
By clicking Buy Now, I agree to Kobo's Terms of Sale. BUY NOW Pre-Order

Thank you for your purchase

Thanks for pre-ordering

{2} is now in your library. You'll receive an email confirming your purchase very soon.

{2} has been pre-ordered. You'll receive a confirmation email confirming your pre-order very soon.

You were charged:

You will be charged: on {3}

You will be charged: when the book is added to your Library

Rakuten Super Points earned: {1}

Rakuten Super Points {1} earned after the book is added to your Library

{0}
Continue shopping