Discover “The Limits of the Human: Fictions of Anomaly, Race, and Gender in the Long Eighteenth Century” by Felicity Nussbaum, available at The Bookish Owl. This insightful academic work delves into how literary and cultural texts in 18th-century England and its empire constructed notions of human difference. Nussbaum critically examines how anomalies like disease, disability, and perceived defects intersected with evolving concepts of femininity, masculinity, and race to establish standards of ‘normalcy’. Featuring analysis of key writers such as Burney, Johnson, Sterne, and Equiano, the book offers a compelling exploration of how these intersecting ideas shaped understandings of identity and the human condition during this pivotal historical period. Enhance your understanding of literary history and social constructs with this essential read.