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Good Morning
Mar. 9th, 2020 08:55 am
Mar. 9th, 2020
Book 20 - Jean-Paul Sartre "Words"
Mar. 9th, 2020 09:33 amJean-Paul Sartre "Words" (Penguin Modern Classics)
Jean-Paul Sartre's autobiography was published in English in 1964, the year that he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, and it focuses on his early childhood and the influences that led to his decision to become a writer.
Sartre's father died when he was an infant; as a result, he and his mother Anne-Marie moved back into her parents' house on the edge of Paris. As an only child, the young Jean-Paul was nurtured and sheltered by his mother and his grandparents, and his greatest influence as a child was his grandfather Charles Schweitzer, a professor of German literature and nephew of the Nobel laureate Albert Schweitzer. Sartre's initial years were spent in near-complete isolation from other children, and he began to read voraciously at an early age, with his greatest influences being the adventure stories that his mother and grandmother gave to him, to the chagrin of his grandfather. He began to play-act stories that he created based on his reading, and soon he began to write stories about these adventures. In his later childhood, his grandfather's teaching and reading became more influential, and he supported his wife and daughter in encouraging Sartre to pursue a career as a writer.
The autobiography is divided into two long chapters, Reading and Writing. The first chapter is by far the most interesting, as Sartre introduces us to his family and the joys of his young childhood. However, the last half of the book was far too long, with an overemphasis and overanalysis of his early writing and its influences, with only minimal attention given to his outside life, his family and the few friends that he made.
Despite a promising beginning, I found this to be a disappointing and somewhat unenjoyable read, due to its lack of balance and Sartre's choppy and disjointed narrative.
Jean-Paul Sartre's autobiography was published in English in 1964, the year that he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, and it focuses on his early childhood and the influences that led to his decision to become a writer.
Sartre's father died when he was an infant; as a result, he and his mother Anne-Marie moved back into her parents' house on the edge of Paris. As an only child, the young Jean-Paul was nurtured and sheltered by his mother and his grandparents, and his greatest influence as a child was his grandfather Charles Schweitzer, a professor of German literature and nephew of the Nobel laureate Albert Schweitzer. Sartre's initial years were spent in near-complete isolation from other children, and he began to read voraciously at an early age, with his greatest influences being the adventure stories that his mother and grandmother gave to him, to the chagrin of his grandfather. He began to play-act stories that he created based on his reading, and soon he began to write stories about these adventures. In his later childhood, his grandfather's teaching and reading became more influential, and he supported his wife and daughter in encouraging Sartre to pursue a career as a writer.
The autobiography is divided into two long chapters, Reading and Writing. The first chapter is by far the most interesting, as Sartre introduces us to his family and the joys of his young childhood. However, the last half of the book was far too long, with an overemphasis and overanalysis of his early writing and its influences, with only minimal attention given to his outside life, his family and the few friends that he made.
Despite a promising beginning, I found this to be a disappointing and somewhat unenjoyable read, due to its lack of balance and Sartre's choppy and disjointed narrative.
The Monday Club
Mar. 9th, 2020 11:16 pmSome nights happen organically. This was one of those nights. I popped into the community room to watch some Tv but others were chatting loudly so I joined in. Well, we ended up with music, loads of wine and some great food cooked by Anna and a new member of our community called Kevin. Think I had loads of vino tonight.
So, I brought some CDs to play including Michael Jackson's Thriller and Prince's 1999.
Anna was a Lady Gaga fan - ugh!
At least some liked the jazz.
But in the end a great impromptu night.
So, I brought some CDs to play including Michael Jackson's Thriller and Prince's 1999.
Anna was a Lady Gaga fan - ugh!
At least some liked the jazz.
But in the end a great impromptu night.
Just Wondering
Mar. 9th, 2020 11:19 pmIn Fahrenheit 451, people (the lucky ones) 'became' living books, memorizing them and reciting them for anyone who wanted to listen. If you have to memorize a book, what would it be?
Do you think all countries should require visas for crossing their borders, even for a short visit?
What promises have you never carried through for yourself?
Do you think all countries should require visas for crossing their borders, even for a short visit?
What promises have you never carried through for yourself?
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