The essays collected in Incidents, originally published in French shortly after Barthes' death, provide unique insight into the author's life, his personal struggles and his delights. Though Barthes questioned the act of keeping a journal with the aim of having it published, he decided to undertake a diary-like experiment in four parts. The first, `The Light of the Southwest', is an ode to Barthes' favourite region in France. The second, which gives the collection its title, is a revealing personal account of his time living in Morocco, while in `At Le Palace Tonight ...', Barthes describes a vibrant Paris entertainment spot. Finally, the journal entries of `Evenings in Paris' reveal Barthes as an older gay man, struggling with his desire for young lovers. Rendered here in a fresh and lyrical translation, Incidents will delight fans of Barthes' other works, as well as anyone curious for a look inside the mind of one of twentieth century's foremost intellectuals.