Lecture, Constance Borde and Sheila Malovany-Chevallier, The Second Sex: A New Translation

Constance Borde and Sheila Malovany-Chevallier

First published in 1949, The Second Sex is a landmark in the history of feminism. Of all the writing that emerged from the existentialist movement, Simone de Beauvoir’s groundbreaking study of women has had the most extensive and enduring impact. It is at once a scholarly work of anthropology and sociology, of biology and psychoanalysis, from the pen of a writer and novelist of penetrating imaginative power.

In this new translation, marking the 60th anniversary of publication, Constance Borde and Sheila Malovany-Chevallier have produced the first integral translation, reinstating as much as twenty percent of the original work that was missing in the first translation (1953).

Simone de Beauvoir was born in Paris, in 1908. In 1929, she became the youngest person to obtain the agrégation in philosophy at the Sorbonne. She taught in lycées in Marseille and Rouen from 1931-1937, and in Paris from 1938-1943. After the war, she emerged as one of the leaders of the existentialist movement, along with Jean-Paul Sartre. She was the author of volumes of philosophy and memoirs, as well as several novels, including The Mandarins (1957), which was awarded the Prix Goncourt. Beauvoir died in 1986.

Constance Borde and Sheila Malovany-Chevallier have lived in Paris for over forty years and were faculty members at the Institut d’Etudes Politiques. They have co-authored numerous books in English and French on subjects ranging from grammar to politics to American cooking.

To Reserve: This event is open to the public and there is no fee. Reservations are required but will not be accepted until March 24, 2010. Please call the Athenæum’s events reservation line, 617-720-7600.

Please click on links below to read some recent reviews:
THE GUARDIAN DEC. 12
THE LONDON TIMES DEC. 19, 2009
IRISH TIMES, DEC. 21, 2009
CHOICE OF THE MONTH THE INDEPENDENT DEC. 18, 2009
THE INDEPENDENT DEC. 18, 2009

Books will be available for sale courtesy of our friends at The Globe Corner Bookstore.