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Recently bodied this. Old big French novel. Technically about the mining strikes in northern France in 1866, and definitely about that, but also just about life during that time. Scrapping in the mines. Living in close quarters, turning up in the village with the other workers. The implied stuff Zola looks at in terms of family structure, mating rules, social life. It moves like novels of that time, like the Russians, say, in how it roams omnisciently in that quintessentially 19th century way. But something about how he starts it, with the protagonist pulling up to a new town, homeless and hungry, and seeing him gradually integrate into the mining community⊠The intimacy of living in such close quarters⊠Idk, itâs counterintuitively spicy, I recommend it, it slaps.
Aug 16, 2022
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a classic! i recommend the translation by lydia Davis from the original French. The book is full of nuance, subtle humor, and wordplay. The wordplay is present even in the title as the name Bovary relates to the word bovine. The significance is that it implies that any wed-able(marriageable? idk) woman is comparable to a cow that can traded and bartered with. There is so much symbolism and depth that is carried by exceptionally flowery language that is just so fun to read and reread (because sometimes it is difficult to comprehend). Main character Emma marries into a mundane and provincial life and finds herself terribly bored (she is just like me fr!) as she desires to live with passion and exuberance. Some say she is neurotic and immature but to me she is just a girl with a bad case of financial irresponsibility and a desire to live for the plot (she is dissatisfied with her boring ass life and you would be too!). I wonât spoil the rest but bitches hate to see a slut in society and Emma knows slutery like no one else! Also she grew up in a monastery which is so funny to me. It is packed full of the most ironic romanticism and it is so fun to learn what everything could represent and reflect as a criticism of the bourgeoise.Â
May 2, 2024
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Super underrated book, and Madame Bovary is clearly great, but this is also great, and sort of outlandishly, almost tauntingly ahead of its time
Mar 29, 2022
I bought it when I was visiting my little brother in Paris and it was really crazy. When you start reading it you think he's just trying to be extreme for the sake of it, of disgusting you for no reason but to provoke a reaction. Then after a while you get into it and it becomes beautifully poetic and it feels pure.
Sep 18, 2024
Top Recs from @sean-thor-conroe
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I donât know how people read without candles. Iâll read without a candleâin the daytime, at the park, on the train. I do do that. But when Iâm really going in. Thatâs the only way. At night, phone silented and out of reach. Reading for the duration of a candleâs burn. Thing is, in order to really use a candle, youâve gotta have candles on candles. Youâve gotta be really strapped. Solid holder, with the wide, ashtray-like base, so you can balance it on random things. An armrest. Your lap. I throw down on these 45-count boxes of âperfect flame, clean burning, cotton wickâ bistro candles from Bolsius. Polish brand. But you donât even have to ball out like that, you can just go with the 4-count taper pack. Just make sure you got that solid holder, thatâs crucial.
Aug 16, 2022
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Parks are where itâs at. Where grass, benches, trees are. Sun. I tend to base wherever I choose to move on its proximity to parks. Went to the park by me the other day, hot day, a bunch of little kids were by the water fountain loading up water balloons. I mean damn. Love that.
Aug 16, 2022
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Been trying to do stints, timed spurts, of total silence throughout my work days. Itâs a constant back and forth, music or silence. But I tend to feel calmer, better about myself somehow, after I manage to be silent awhile.
Aug 16, 2022