Maggie Nelson's 'Like Love' Collects Decades of Occasional Writing

Maggie Nelson's 'Like Love' gathers 30 texts written between 2006 and 2023, including introductions, reviews, commissioned essays for art catalogues, and interviews. The collection features responses to writers Ben Lerner, Natalia Ginzburg, Fred Moten, and Judith Butler, as well as artists Nayland Blake, Kara Walker, Carolee Schneemann, and Sarah Lucas. Nelson discusses the nature of 'main' work versus digression with poet Eileen Myles, noting that 'there's no there there.' The book's structure, largely composed of prefaces, gives it a dislocated feel where action feels absent. A conversation with Björk envisions the future philosopher as one who collects and distills writings with emotional responsibility. Published by Fern Press at £20.