Known and Strange Things: Essays is a collection of essays by author Teju Cole that explores a wide range of cultural, political, and personal topics. Through his insightful prose, Cole examines issues such as identity, history, and societal change, often reflecting on artistic and literary themes. The essays are written with depth and thoughtfulness, inviting readers to consider different perspectives and underlying truths in contemporary life.
The book combines personal anecdotes with global observations, making it both intimate and wide-ranging. Cole's lucid writing style and keen observations allow him to navigate complex subjects like race, memory, and art with clarity. His essays often include reflections on notable works of art, literature, and photography, bridging the personal and the universal.
Overall, Known and Strange Things offers a profound meditation on the nature of knowledge and the unfamiliar aspects of both the world and ourselves. It encourages readers to embrace curiosity and look beyond surface appearances to understand the deeper, often stranger truths that shape our existence.