On Late Style

On Late Style: Music and Literature Against the Grain by Edward Said is a thought-provoking exploration of the creative and intellectual transformations that mark the final works of great artists. Written during Said’s own late phase, the book examines how late style in music and literature challenges conventional norms and often defies resolution, reflecting a sense of conflict, dissonance, and resistance.

Said analyzes the works of artists such as Beethoven, Richard Strauss, Jean Genet, and Thomas Mann, among others, illustrating how their late creations disrupt aesthetic conventions while embodying a profound engagement with mortality and legacy. This posthumously published work is a profound meditation on creativity, individuality, and the inevitability of aging, making it a significant contribution to both cultural criticism and the philosophy of art.

Why Read This Book

• Explore Edward Said’s insights into the concept of "late style" and its cultural significance.
• Gain a deeper understanding of how aging influences creativity and artistic output.
• Discover how major figures in music and literature defied norms in their later works.
• Reflect on themes of dissonance, mortality, and unresolved tensions in art.
• Appreciate Said’s masterful ability to connect historical, cultural, and personal contexts in his analysis.

About the Author

Edward Said (1935–2003) was a Palestinian-American scholar, literary critic, and public intellectual, widely regarded as one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century. Best known for his seminal work Orientalism, Said’s contributions spanned the fields of postcolonial studies, cultural criticism, and musicology. An accomplished pianist, his passion for music deeply informed his scholarly work. In On Late Style, Said reflects on creativity, identity, and resistance, offering readers a poignant glimpse into his own intellectual legacy as he grappled with terminal illness during its writing.