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starlit013's review
3.25
3.25// "I am visited by people and their lives-- like a whore."
If you find that sentence enlightening and engaging, you will like this short little book. If you find yourself saying "it's really not that deep," avoid at all costs. Somehow, I ended up in the middle
If you find that sentence enlightening and engaging, you will like this short little book. If you find yourself saying "it's really not that deep," avoid at all costs. Somehow, I ended up in the middle
liminal_dolphin's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 ⭐️
I find the concept very fascinating, it’s very appealing to me to read about mundane things, and look at it with deeper meaning. There are so many things we take for granted, are used to, and/or desensitized to that when it’s put simply before you, ink on paper, it makes you reflect on your own life, your own habits, and connect you more to the people, lives, and stories around you. It can give you more appreciation for the mundane and for the day-to-day that seems to be boring for a lot of people.
That being said, Annie Ernaux seems to have a rather pessimistic view and tone on the day-to-day life that many of us lead. Even though she writes and tries to stay as objective as possible as she said, there are little comments here or there, or the wording she uses puts a negative filter over regular situations or interactions. It would have been nicer to have more of a balance with positive outlooks or positive tones throughout the text.
It’s pretty cool to get a glimpse into the past, and how people lived in that time in France. It’s nice to be able to reflect and feel a connection with not only Annie Ernaux herself but also with the people she encounters and observes.
Overall, I really enjoyed the concept, and several of the excerpts, however the tone was too negative for me, sometimes startlingly so. I absolutely see the merit in this piece of literature (it feels more like a diary meets poetry than a “book”) and it allowed me to reflect on my own life and have further introspection on the daily tasks we tend not to think much about.
I find the concept very fascinating, it’s very appealing to me to read about mundane things, and look at it with deeper meaning. There are so many things we take for granted, are used to, and/or desensitized to that when it’s put simply before you, ink on paper, it makes you reflect on your own life, your own habits, and connect you more to the people, lives, and stories around you. It can give you more appreciation for the mundane and for the day-to-day that seems to be boring for a lot of people.
That being said, Annie Ernaux seems to have a rather pessimistic view and tone on the day-to-day life that many of us lead. Even though she writes and tries to stay as objective as possible as she said, there are little comments here or there, or the wording she uses puts a negative filter over regular situations or interactions. It would have been nicer to have more of a balance with positive outlooks or positive tones throughout the text.
It’s pretty cool to get a glimpse into the past, and how people lived in that time in France. It’s nice to be able to reflect and feel a connection with not only Annie Ernaux herself but also with the people she encounters and observes.
Overall, I really enjoyed the concept, and several of the excerpts, however the tone was too negative for me, sometimes startlingly so. I absolutely see the merit in this piece of literature (it feels more like a diary meets poetry than a “book”) and it allowed me to reflect on my own life and have further introspection on the daily tasks we tend not to think much about.
meganbomberger's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
another banger she does not miss i feel like she writes things i have thought so many times but cannot put into words wow maybe my fav one yet
bluelilyblue's review against another edition
3.0
Écrit comme un documentaire de Varda: cette voix discrète, à peine saisissable car focalisée sur autrui, mais propice à un discours sensible et percutant.
haileyldavidson's review against another edition
2.0
This was fine I guess, like I know it's written well and everything- it just wasn't for me. So French though.
kyliebennett's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
really, a lovely read. ernaux captures the concept of sonder so well in this book, and it’s almost comforting to see how thoughts i have now, about myself and the world, were present in others, especially women, 50+ years ago.