This is a fascinating look at how human identity is shaped by three powerful but enigmatic forces. Richard Kearney shows how the human outlook on the world is formed by the mysterious triumvirate of strangers, gods and monsters.

Richard Kearney is Professor of Philosophy at Boston College and University College Dublin. His publications include On Stories,Wake of Imagination and Postnationalist Ireland (all published by Routledge), and Sam's Fall (novel).

List of illustrations, Acknowledgements, Introduction: strangers, gods and monsters, PART I, 1. Strangers and scapegoats, 2. Rights of sacrifice, 3. Aliens and others, 4. Evil, monstrosity and the sublime, 5. On terror, PART II, 6. Hamlet's ghosts: from Shakespeare to Joyce, 7. Melancholy: between gods and monsters, 8. The immemorial: a task of narrative, 9. God or Khora?, 10. Last gods and final things: faith and philosophy, Conclusion, Notes, Index