Sontag: Her Life and Work by Benjamin Moser

Susan Sontag was one of the leading literary, intellectual, and cultural figures of her time. Over the course of her career, she wrote essays, novels, and plays, critiqued art and philosophy, and became an influential public figure. In Benjamin Moser's book, Sontag: Her Life and Work, he provides a comprehensive yet absorbing account of the life and career of Susan Sontag.

Moser begins by tracing Sontag's childhood and teenage years, which were characterized by a feeling of intellectual loneliness, frequent moves, and periods of ill health. He explores her unusual relationship with her unstable mother and her close friendships with other aspiring writers. He explains how Sontag eventually flourished in college, fascinated by philosophical and artistic debates, and eventually moved to New York City.

In New York, Sontag quickly became part of the intellectual scene, engaging in rigorous public debates and interviews. However, she also faced heavy criticism from those who disagreed with her art and thought. Regardless, Sontag's commitment to pushing boundaries of thought and art remained consistent. She was determined to make a name for herself and succeed.

In her writing, Sontag combined her insights on European high culture and her embrace of American popular culture. Her essays, such as ‘Against Interpretation', stimulated debates and often shocked the public. Her novel, The Benefactor, blurred the line between reality and fiction. Later works, such as On Photography, continue to provoke and shape conversations on art and culture.

The biography also examines Sontag's brief marriage to Philip Rieff and her multiple relationships with women. Sontag's loves, friendships, and public persona became increasingly intertwined as her fame and influence grew. Eventually, she developed a following among the public, yet maintained an ambivalent relationship with celebrity.

The book admires Sontag for the courage and dedication she held for her ideas and artwork. Despite the criticisms that she endured, Sontag remained committed to her vision. She defined her life as a "perpetual casting off in preparation for a new emergence".

In Sontag: Her Life and Work, Moser captures the life and work of Susan Sontag in an intimate, precise and passionate manner. He pays justice to her physical and intellectual adventures, exploring her ambition and brilliance, wit, and resistance. Moser's research and writing evoke the complex, yet inspiring life of one of the most important figures of our time. Anyone looking to gain a comprehensive and thorough understanding of Sontag and her legacy will highly appreciate this book.