A classic though a bit dated in parts and probably no longer revolutionary to anyone who has been exposed to semiotics and foundational philosophical concepts. "Mythologies" is concerned with the system of signs which are hidden in plain sight from us and used by the bourgeoisie to maintain social order. It is no easy feat to translate into English the kind of academic French flourishes and prose that Barthes employs and no doubt the density of the writing makes for a slow read unlike Foucault who is much more accessible. My suggestion is to read each essay at least twice and have a dictionary at hand. (It will also help if you have some familiarity with French, German, and Latin.)

Despite the denseness of his writing each of the essays are compact and succinct enough to not make the act of reading them feel torturous. In fact, Barthes' powers of observation and astute analysis are paired with a dry wit that at times had me chuckling and smiling to myself. Some of my favorite essays were "In the Ring," "Dominici," "Toys," "Wine and Milk," "The Man in the Street on Strike," "Plastic," and "A Few Words from Monsieur Poujade."