The Slicks: On Sylvia Plath and Taylor Swift

Maggie Nelson

Nov 2025 · Random House

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A rallying, celebratory essay about Sylvia Plath, Taylor Swift and unbridled female ambition by the beloved author of Bluets and The Argonauts

In The Slicks, Maggie Nelson positions culture-dominating pop superstar Taylor Swift and feminist cult icon Sylvia Plath as twin hosts of the female urge towards wanting hard, working hard and pouring forth – and as twinned targets of patriarchy’s ancient urge to disparage, trivialise and demonise such prolific, intimate output.

A heady and rallying melding of popular culture and literary criticism, The Slicks is an inspired and unexpected assessment of two iconic female artists by one of the most revered and influential critics of her generation.

PRAISE FOR MAGGIE NELSON:

'Her words come as though from a great distance and strike incredibly close' Anne Enright

‘Among the sharpest and most supple thinkers of her generation’ Olivia Laing

'Always brilliant’ Geoff Dyer

‘One of the most unique voices in non-fiction: enquiring, political, lyrically dazzling, empathetic’ Sinéad Gleeson

A rallying, celebratory essay about Sylvia Plath, Taylor Swift and unbridled female ambition by the beloved author of Bluets and The Argonauts In The Slicks, Maggie Nelson positions culture-dominating pop superstar Taylor Swift and feminist cult icon Sylvia Plath as twin hosts of the female urge ...

About the author

Maggie Nelson is the author of several books of prose and poetry including The Red Parts, Bluets, the National Book Critics Circle Award-winner The Argonauts, On Freedom, Like Love and, most recently, Pathemata. She teaches at the University of Southern California and lives in Los Angeles.

Maggie Nelson is the author of several books of prose and poetry including The Red Parts, Bluets, the National Book Critics Circle Award-winner The Argonauts, On Freedom, Like Love and, most recently, Pathemata. She teaches at the University of Southern California and lives in Los Angeles.

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