Affective genealogies

Affective Genealogies offers a critical examination of postmodern culture and theory through the lens of Holocaust representation in French poststructuralist works. Elizabeth J. Bellamy questions whether postmodernism's non-essentializing discourse can facilitate a true understanding of Holocaust trauma, concluding that recent French thought often "encrypts but does not fully confront" this horror. The study begins with a survey of contemporary writings on Judaism, the Holocaust, and the "crisis of memory." Bellamy delves into debates surrounding Martin Heidegger's Nazi affiliations, particularly Jacques Derrida's defense of Heidegger's philosophy. She also analyzes the works of Philippe Lacoue-Labarthe and Jean-Luc Nancy, highlighting their ambiguous portrayals of Jewish roles in modern intellectual history. The final chapter focuses on Jean-François Lyotard's representation of Judaism. This book contributes significantly to the reevaluation of French postmodernism and the representation of Jews and the Holocaust in Western thought. As noted by Sander Gilman, the influence of French writers from Sartre to Lyotard has been pivotal in shaping philosophical discourse on Jewish identity. Affective Genealogies serves as an essential guide to this complex and impactful philosophical movement. Elizabeth J. Bellamy is an associate professor of English at the University of New Hampshire and author of Translations of Power: Narcissism