The Thing Itself

Praise

“There is a sweet memoir embedded in this book of cultural criticism, into which Mr. Todd has deftly wrangled the whole gang, from Jean Baudrillard to Lionel Trilling.”
–The New York Times

“An arch and eloquent meditation.”
–O, the Oprah magazine

“Dazzling, beautifully crafted…A small masterpiece- and ‘small’ only because of its brevity, not its scope.”
–Chicago Tribune

“Provocative and oddly comforting…Refreshing.”
–The Arizona Republic

“A fully realized, brave, and movingly honest memoir…[Todd] makes a figure in which to contemplate ourselves.”
–Ploughshares

“A splendid book, brimming with wit and original insights…Most pertinent to the way we live now.”
-Ward Just, author of Forgetfulness