Overview

Since the early 19th century, the bohemian has been the protagonist of the story the West has wanted to hear about its artists - a story of genius, glamour, and doom. This book analyzes the many shifting meanings that constitute bohemia and the bohemian. With a huge cast of real-life characters, from Chatterton to Jackson Pollock to Augustus John, she explores the bohemians eccentric use of dress, the role of sex and erotic love, the quest for excess, and their intransigent politics. She demonstrates how, rather than disappearing from Western culture, bohemia is at the core of the most heated cultural debates at the end of the second millennium.

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9781860647826

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Reviews

'Her intellectual enthusiasm, ironic humour and delight in bohemian absurdity make this a fascinating book to read.' - Sheila Rowbotham, Financial Times '... a book that is intricately informative, expertly researched and highly entertaining.' - Sally Cline, Literary Review

An insight into the loose group of artists, writers, intellectuals and radicals who once represented a kind of anti-society and who consciously cast themselves in the role of outcast. In particular, they broke many taboos related to sex and marriage, putting eroticism and deviance centre stage. This book examines the myth of the bohemian and shows how far bohemianism has become an accepted part of contemporary culture. Wilson's fascinating story takes in cafe society in Europe and the US, and also explores dress, politics and many of the leading figures (Byron, Wilde, Tanguy, Nina Hamnett), bringing the story right up to the present day. (Kirkus UK)

Author Information

Elizabeth Wilson is Professor of Cultural Studies at the University of North London. Her books include Adorned in Dreams, Hallucinations: Life in the Post-modern City and The Sphinx in the City.

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