Against the Loveless World

Synopsis

'A thrilling, defiant novel' FATIMA BHUTTO 'A masterpiece' MARC LAMONT HILL 'Wonderful ... Shines a ray of hope into some very dark places' MICHAEL PALIN 'A fearless work of imagination' AHDAF SOUEIF Winner of the Palestine Book Award Nahr has been confined to the Cube: nine square metres of glossy grey cinderblock, devoid of time, its patterns of light and dark nothing to do with day and night. Journalists visit her, but get nowhere; because Nahr is not going to share her story with them. The world outside calls Nahr a terrorist, and a whore; some might call her a revolutionary, or a hero. But the truth is, Nahr has always been many things, and had many names. She was a girl who learned, early and painfully, that when you are a second class citizen love is a kind of desperation; she learned, above all else, to survive. She was a girl who went to Palestine in the wrong shoes, and without looking for it found what she had always lacked in the basement of a battered beauty parlour: purpose, politics, friends. She found a dark-eyed man called Bilal, who taught her to resist; who tried to save her when it was already too late. Nahr sits in the Cube, and tells her story to Bilal. Bilal, who isn't there; Bilal, who may not even be alive, but who is her only reason to get out.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Unloved

Summary:
Susan Sontag explores the nature of lovelessness, arguing that it is a pathological condition of the modern world. She traces the history of lovelessness from the Greek concept of ananke (necessity) to the Western Enlightenment's emphasis on individualism.
Example: The story of the 19th-century writer Sophie von La Roche, who was forced to marry a man she did not love and endured a loveless existence.

Chapter 2: The Lovers

Summary:
Sontag argues that true love is a rare and transformative experience that is worth sacrificing for. She suggests that love is not merely a romantic fantasy but a form of understanding and empathy.
Example: The relationship between Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller, which was characterized by intense passion and a deep connection.

Chapter 3: The Loneliness of the Soul

Summary:
Sontag explores the loneliness that can accompany lovelessness, arguing that it is a spiritual and psychological prison. She suggests that loneliness is not a lack of companionship but a lack of meaning and purpose.
Example: The story of the elderly woman who lives alone and feels a profound sense of emptiness despite having many acquaintances.

Chapter 4: The Seduction of the Marketplace

Summary:
Sontag argues that consumer culture and mass media promote a loveless society by encouraging people to seek pleasure and distraction rather than meaningful connections. She suggests that we have become a culture of "buyers and sellers" who prioritize material possessions over emotional relationships.
Example: The advertising industry's use of images and slogans that create a sense of desire and lack, encouraging people to consume more to fill a void in their lives.

Chapter 5: The Politics of Lovelessness

Summary:
Sontag argues that lovelessness has political consequences, contributing to violence, alienation, and social breakdown. She suggests that a society that values individualism and competition over cooperation and empathy is prone to fostering lovelessness.
Example: The rise of hate crimes and the decline in social trust, which are symptoms of a loveless society.

Chapter 6: The Revolution of Tenderness

Summary:
Sontag calls for a "revolution of tenderness" in which people prioritize empathy, understanding, and connection. She argues that this revolution is essential for creating a more just and loving world.
Example: The work of organizations that provide support and compassion to those who are marginalized and alone.

Chapter 7: The Epidemic of Loneliness

Summary:
Sontag concludes the book by discussing the epidemic of loneliness that has swept modern society. She suggests that loneliness is a threat to both our physical and mental health and calls for a renewed focus on building meaningful connections.
Example: The increasing number of people who report feeling isolated and alone, despite living in a highly interconnected world.