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rexlegendi 's review for:
Passion simple
by Annie Ernaux
I can think of no other author who had an impact on me as Annie Ernaux. Her inquisitive writing prompts readers to reflect on their own memories. Novels like [b:Happening|129263635|Happening|Annie Ernaux|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1681327721l/129263635._SY75_.jpg|805808], [b:The Years|145625252|The Years|Annie Ernaux|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1682913153l/145625252._SY75_.jpg|3110233] and [b:A Girl's Story|53443227|A Girl's Story|Annie Ernaux|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1589885984l/53443227._SX50_.jpg|50107801] are almost ‘guidelines’ for catching the past. In Simply Passion (1991), Ernaux recounts her all-consuming love for a married foreigner, driving her to entirely neglect herself.
The short novel disappointed me, however. To say it is ‘more of the same’ would be unfair, as it was written well before, but it did give me a déjà vu. More importantly, I missed a critical note or punch line. Ernaux’s usually sharp reflections are absent; her younger – and rather passive – self is just absorbed in daydreaming. Even a final addition, written in 1991 (when Ernaux was already older), confirms her gratitude.
Really, Annie? Sitting, waiting, wishing for a man who pays more attention to his Saint Laurent suits and his car than to his maîtresse? I guess 1991 was a very long time ago.
The short novel disappointed me, however. To say it is ‘more of the same’ would be unfair, as it was written well before, but it did give me a déjà vu. More importantly, I missed a critical note or punch line. Ernaux’s usually sharp reflections are absent; her younger – and rather passive – self is just absorbed in daydreaming. Even a final addition, written in 1991 (when Ernaux was already older), confirms her gratitude.
Quand j’étais enfant, le luxe, c’était pour moi les manteaux de fourrure, les robes longues et les villas au bord de la mer. Plus tard, j’ai cru que c’était de mener une vie d’intellectuel. Il me semble maintenant que c’est aussi de pouvoir vivre une passion pour un homme ou une femme.
Really, Annie? Sitting, waiting, wishing for a man who pays more attention to his Saint Laurent suits and his car than to his maîtresse? I guess 1991 was a very long time ago.