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clariseng 's review for:
Mourning Diary
by Roland Barthes
Perhaps this volume collecting Roland Barthes’ thoughts between 1977-1978 was the great thinker’s attempt to grapple with his grief over his mother’s death the best way he knew how— as he approached most things, by studying and dissecting his loss with academic vigour— but instead his notes turned out to become the most visceral and human words I have ever read on life after a loved one’s death. I’m sure other people feel the same way.
This was never meant to be published. He first wrote these thoughts on slips of quartered typewriting paper stored on his desk, taking pauses from his work on some of the most important books of his career to deal with his grief, but this volume ended up becoming one of his most revelatory and insightful. I read this to hopefully put myself in the shoes of my friends who have lost loved ones. I recognized them in the book’s pages, I hope I now know their hearts a little better.
He never meant to publish this, but I’m glad his colleagues did, albeit years after his death. I think he would have loved seeing his mother immortalised, lovingly, through his painfully devoted thoughts.
This was never meant to be published. He first wrote these thoughts on slips of quartered typewriting paper stored on his desk, taking pauses from his work on some of the most important books of his career to deal with his grief, but this volume ended up becoming one of his most revelatory and insightful. I read this to hopefully put myself in the shoes of my friends who have lost loved ones. I recognized them in the book’s pages, I hope I now know their hearts a little better.
He never meant to publish this, but I’m glad his colleagues did, albeit years after his death. I think he would have loved seeing his mother immortalised, lovingly, through his painfully devoted thoughts.