Returning to Reims

More about the book

After his father's death, Didier Eribon returns to Reims, revisiting the working-class world he left three decades earlier. Initially viewing his father through the lens of homophobia, Eribon's reflections deepen following the loss, prompting him to explore how various forms of domination intersect in individual lives and cultures. He investigates his past, family history, and personal trajectory, offering profound insights into the French class system, the educational system's role in shaping class identity, and the formation of both class and sexual identities. He also examines the recent shifts in French politics, illustrated by his family's transition from the Communist Party to the National Front. This work combines sociological inquiry with critical theory, appealing to those interested in contemporary leftist politics and the complexities of sexual identity. Since its 2009 release, the book has garnered significant acclaim in France, receiving enthusiastic reviews from major publications like Le Monde and Liberation.