Maggie Nelson proposes a rethinking of freedom based more on respect for others than on a maximalist or abstract idea.

In this era in which the most reactionary sectors of society champion a biased concept of freedom, distorting, manipulating and appropriating its meaning, it seems appropriate to apply a strict criticism of language and discover that, deep down, whatever they are The confusion caused by talking about freedom is essentially no different from the misunderstandings we risk when talking about anything else. This is the basic theme of this book, which moves away from any metaphysical speculation to propose a "practical" philosophy, in which the weight of current events does not prevent reflection or lucidity, but rather provides a light that removes that word from any assumption or idea received.

The multifaceted Maggie Nelson proposes a rethinking of the concept of freedom from the perspective of the most pressing issues of the moment, such as the pandemic, the debate around sexual consent or climate change, racial discrimination, drugs as an element that can free us or enslave ourselves (sometimes at the same time) or the role of the artist in creating in a “responsible” way. Focusing on the dialectic between freedom and restriction, in this gender-fluid volume philosophy, sociology, art criticism and the demand for a non-aggressive sexual freedom devoid of gender and labels come together.

"The subtlety of Nelson's analysis and the energy of her prose are a tonic to the spirit" (Kirkus Reviews).

"Part of what makes Nelson's writing so absorbing is how comfortable she is with uncertainty... It's a pleasure to spend time with her scholarly mind" (Mia Levitin, The Times Literary Supplement).