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kavreb's review against another edition
4.0
Somewhat of a companion piece to Ernaux’s A Woman’s Story, A Man’s Place finds her contemplating the life of upon the death of the other parent (a friend pointed out the reversal in the names of the books - how what is usually a woman’s place becomes that of a man, and what is usually a man’s story becomes that of a woman; and whether intentional or not, how striking that may be).
As per usual for Ernaux, the book is somewhat self-obsessed while also striking in its feeling for living.
The novella's short length somewhat undermines the strength of it - a person’s life becomes a short collection of highlights, and a contemplation of how their daughter relates to them. I know more of the man by the end than I did at the start, but not that much; I also know more of Ernaux herself, but also not that much, as she returns to her favourite subject of moving up between social classes, the awareness of which haunts her evermore.
And yet it's easy to appreciate the book, easy to enjoy it; the class difference is as timely as ever, and Ernaux's laconic writing lets the inherent emotions of a life lived come to the fore. The toughness & roughness of a working class life can hardly leave a heart cold (especially one stemming from similar background), and I am always touched by stories that manage to encompass a whole life.
As short as it may be, her father’s place resonates in her memory and writing, and it’s easy to consider the novella another success from a writer specialising in successful little diaries pulled open to the crowds. Within we may see, yet again, ourselves; and, failing that, at the very least, a man who once existed, thought & lived, and the place he filled in the lives of those closest, especially the daughter who dealt with her pain upon losing him by (as she’s wont to) writing it down.
Ernaux probably felt easier having done that, and we may feel richer for the same action.
As per usual for Ernaux, the book is somewhat self-obsessed while also striking in its feeling for living.
The novella's short length somewhat undermines the strength of it - a person’s life becomes a short collection of highlights, and a contemplation of how their daughter relates to them. I know more of the man by the end than I did at the start, but not that much; I also know more of Ernaux herself, but also not that much, as she returns to her favourite subject of moving up between social classes, the awareness of which haunts her evermore.
And yet it's easy to appreciate the book, easy to enjoy it; the class difference is as timely as ever, and Ernaux's laconic writing lets the inherent emotions of a life lived come to the fore. The toughness & roughness of a working class life can hardly leave a heart cold (especially one stemming from similar background), and I am always touched by stories that manage to encompass a whole life.
As short as it may be, her father’s place resonates in her memory and writing, and it’s easy to consider the novella another success from a writer specialising in successful little diaries pulled open to the crowds. Within we may see, yet again, ourselves; and, failing that, at the very least, a man who once existed, thought & lived, and the place he filled in the lives of those closest, especially the daughter who dealt with her pain upon losing him by (as she’s wont to) writing it down.
Ernaux probably felt easier having done that, and we may feel richer for the same action.
bookish_wanderer's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
chairmanbernanke's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting chronicle of the author’s perspective.