How we are motivated to imitate wanting what others desire—Girard’s theory primed for the
social media age. A Penguin Classic René Girard eludes easy categories bridging the fields
of literary criticism anthropology sociology history religion and theology. Influencing
such writers as J. M. Coetzee and Milan Kundera his insight into contagious violence looks
ever more prophetic and relevant seven years after his death. In many ways he is the thinker
for our modern world of social media and herd behavior. In this newly selected collection of
writings Cynthia L. Haven has created an approachable anthology of his work addressing
Girard's thoughts on the nature of desire human imitation and rivalry the causes of conflict
and violence the deep structure of religion and cultural subjects like opera and theatre.
Girard spoke in language that was engaging accessible and often controversial. A long-time
friend and colleague Haven shines a spotlight on his role as a public intellectual and
profound theorist inviting a new generation to his corpus.
