Description

Book Synopsis
Sontag wrote Illness as Metaphor in 1978, while suffering from breast cancer herself. In her study she reveals that the metaphors and myths surrounding certain illnesses, especially cancer, add greatly to the suffering of the patients and often inhibit them from seeking proper treatment. By demystifying the fantasies surrounding cancer, Sontag shows cancer for what it is - a disease; not a curse, not a punishment, certainly not an embarrassment, and highly curable, if good treatment is found early enough. Almost a decade later, with the outbreak of a new, stigmatized disease replete with mystifications and punitive metaphors, Sontag wrote Aids and Its Metaphors, extending the argument of the earlier book to the AIDS pandemic.

Illness as Metaphor and AIDS and Its Metaphors

    Product form

    A Paperback / softback by Susan Sontag

    £11.69

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £12.99 – you save £1.30 (10%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Thu 3 Sep 2026.

    15 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Illness as Metaphor and AIDS and Its Metaphors by Susan Sontag

      Book details

      Publisher Penguin Random House Group
      Imprint Penguin Classics
      Published 3 July 2009
      ISBN-13 9780141187129
      978-0141187129
      ISBN-10 0141187123
      Also in:
      Non Fiction Biography Essays Politics, Philosophy & Society Health, illness or addiction: social aspects

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      Sontag wrote Illness as Metaphor in 1978, while suffering from breast cancer herself. In her study she reveals that the metaphors and myths surrounding certain illnesses, especially cancer, add greatly to the suffering of the patients and often inhibit them from seeking proper treatment. By demystifying the fantasies surrounding cancer, Sontag shows cancer for what it is - a disease; not a curse, not a punishment, certainly not an embarrassment, and highly curable, if good treatment is found early enough. Almost a decade later, with the outbreak of a new, stigmatized disease replete with mystifications and punitive metaphors, Sontag wrote Aids and Its Metaphors, extending the argument of the earlier book to the AIDS pandemic.

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account