Science and Affect in Contemporary Literature

<b>Moving from the micro world of quantum physics to the macro scales of earth science and ecology this book considers how in contemporary literature affective experiences like desire suffering anxiety and joy shape scientific persons practices and products.</b><br/><br/>This book brings into dialogue close readings of scientific writing and contemporary literary works by authors like Jeanette Winterson Richard Powers Hanya Yanagihara Thalia Field and Jenny Offill. Combining narrative and affect studies it uses formal strategies such as moving metaphor visceral or affective description plot-level analogy contraction and rhythm to engage with western scientific epistemologies which still tends towards the impassive universal and objective.<br/><br/>While each chapter focuses on a different field (or fields) of science all foreground bodies-human and nonhuman-as a way of exploring knowledge production. Through close readings the book argues that select 'scientific stories' raise important questions about how 'knowledge' is defined and who (and what) is invited into its processes of production.