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686 reviews for:

La Honte

Annie Ernaux

3.68 AVERAGE

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Probably my least favourite of her books so far. Which is puzzling, as the subject matter should be one I’m very familiar with. Although not religious, I was always the poor, working class kid in predominantly middle-class schools, all through primary school to university. I know all too well the shame of never inviting friends over, due to the state of our house or the way my parents behaved. And yet… the way she describes this in the book is so boring and sterile I couldn’t take to it at all. What should be her most relatable book is her most uninteresting - quite a paradox.
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One of the reasons why Ernaux's writing is so powerful is her skill in capturing the essence of the human condition, which resonates with readers from all walks of life, enabling them to form a deep personal connection with her stories. Through her unique blend of introspection and relatability, Ernaux’s writing becomes a mirror through which we can see our own lives reflected.

Shame is a powerful and deeply ingrained emotion that can have a profound and lasting impact on one’s identity, often shaping how individuals view themselves and how they believe others perceive them. In this short memoir, Ernaux examines how one dramatic childhood experience of domestic violence within her family forever altered her perception of herself and her place in society, and further intensified her feelings of shame, making it impossible for her to conform to societal expectations.

Ernaux vividly portrays the social customs of her village, which adds to her sense of shame and alienation. The inflexibility of the Roman Catholic Church in her community only exacerbated her feelings of not belonging. The rigid expectations and moral standards imposed by the church clashed with Ernaux’s own experiences and desires, deepening her sense of shame. Furthermore, she takes the time to reflect on the discomfort and uncertainty she faced during puberty, a significant and transformative period in the life of any individual. The physical and emotional changes she experienced only served to intensify her sense of shame, leaving her feeling disconnected from her peers and incapable of conforming to societal norms, ultimately leading her to feel like an outsider, unworthy of acceptance. This internalized shame not only affected Ernaux’s relationships but also hindered her personal growth and pursuit of her dreams.

Shame is a painful emotion. However, it can serve as a wake-up call, motivating individuals to have a deeper understanding of themselves, make positive changes in their behaviour and strive for personal development.
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And she did it again! Non solo Annie Ernaux ha una voce intrigante e che ti tiene incollata alle pagine (quando si dice di unx autorx "leggerei anche la sua lista della spesa" lei ride e scrive un intero libro in quel formato), ma ha un modo di esprimere i sentimenti e le emozioni più comuni in maniera struggente.

Mi sono rivista tantissimo nella sua infanzia, nonostante abbiamo vissuto gli anni formativi in decadi molto diverse - a quanto pare la Normandia degli anni cinquanta e la Sardegna degli anni novanta (ma ancora oggi per la mentalità del villaggio) sono sullo stesso piano.

La vergogna verso il proprio background e verso la propria famiglia è un concetto che mi rincorre da sempre, ma contro cui ho sbattuto il muso la prima volta che sono andata a vivere da sola, o meglio con persone che non facevano parte della mia famiglia o della mia cultura - e la consapevolezza di rientrare negli stereotipi di questa cultura mi ha fatto odiare i miei legami per anni. C'è voluto molto tempo prima che capissi che questo odio autoinflitto non faceva altro che accentuare un divario che favoriva solo le persone che volevo mi rispettassero - e che se fossero state persone di valore mi avrebbero rispettato comunque.

E' sempre una buona idea riconoscere da dove nasce la vergogna - e poi analizzare quelle origini, e ucciderle alla radice.

 
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