In this deeply original and thought-provoking work, Nuar Alsadir explores how spontaneous laughter can disrupt emotional numbness and reconnect us with our most authentic selves. Rooted in her dual experience as a poet and psychoanalyst, this book invites readers to rediscover what it means to feel fully alive, present and embodied.

Written in a poetic and associative prose style, Animal Joy moves seamlessly between the personal and the theoretical. From reflections on clown school training to explorations of Freudian theory, from Anna Karenina’s addiction to modern cultural moments like the Brett Kavanaugh hearings, Alsadir crafts a narrative that is both intellectually rich and emotionally resonant.

At its heart this contemporary literary nonfiction book centers on the author’s relationship with her daughters whose spontaneous, joyful interruptions act as "tiny revolutions", challenging rigid thinking and reminding us of the dangers of losing touch with our true self.

Language: English

Release date: 2022

Pages: 340

Dimensions: 19,7 x 12,8 cm

Author: Nuar Alsadir

Editor: Fitzcarraldo Editions

ISBN: 978-1913097950

€14,50