tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post3045444153307869210..comments2024-01-02T15:37:04.858-05:00Comments on Caravana de recuerdos: Eugénie GrandetRichardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-35997178019321552992012-08-20T13:03:18.736-04:002012-08-20T13:03:18.736-04:00Gary, great to have another vote of confidence in ...Gary, great to have another vote of confidence in support of <em>Goriot</em> (and that <em>The Country Doctor</em> novel, which I'm way less familiar with in terms of its reputation). As far as my own "French stage" goes, though, I think I'm going to try a Hugo novel next before I take on Camus again. Cheers!Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-74572654248091187362012-08-20T12:57:03.931-04:002012-08-20T12:57:03.931-04:00Stu, Balzac seems to be the type of writer that pe...Stu, Balzac seems to be the type of writer that people either read early on or put off until retirement age like I did (I'm not really retirement age--it's just that my body feels like I am on Mondays). Anyway, hope you enjoy the guy's stuff.Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-46633003599030182542012-08-20T12:53:20.745-04:002012-08-20T12:53:20.745-04:00Miguel and Tom, all this Eça talk in relation to B...Miguel and Tom, all this Eça talk in relation to Balzac is whetting my appetite...for more Eça! OK, maybe a little more Balzac, too (am nibbling at the much panned <em>The Girl with the Golden Eyes</em> today, in fact).Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-74547212817503379082012-08-20T12:49:01.011-04:002012-08-20T12:49:01.011-04:00It's probably been a good 20 years since I las...It's probably been a good 20 years since I last read that one, Litlove, so the reread will be a good test of how well that bottled Huysmans weirdness ages over time. Cheers!Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-21248061154639556812012-08-18T17:08:04.271-04:002012-08-18T17:08:04.271-04:00Père Goriot and Lost Illusions are both "to ...<i>Père Goriot</i> and <i> Lost Illusions</i> are both "to the capital" stories, actually, different takes on the theme. <i>Lost Illusions</i> is more directly parodied in the Eça novel, but there are some elements and scenes that aim at <i>PG</i> too.Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-71615726364253539252012-08-18T15:53:57.192-04:002012-08-18T15:53:57.192-04:00went through a French stage in my teens & reme...went through a French stage in my teens & remember enjoying Balzac before moving on to the likes of Camus, particularly Old Goriot & country doctor @parridhlanternhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12793548943992250238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-50265075531609159832012-08-17T16:23:57.594-04:002012-08-17T16:23:57.594-04:00Hm, Père Goriot then. I have to say I was interest...Hm, <i>Père Goriot</i> then. I have to say I was interested in <i>Lost Illusions</i> because the plot reminded me a lot of Eça's <i>To the Capital,</i> one of my favourite novels.<br /><br />But I prefer to start at the beginning.LMRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08538873868140070018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-18846582316827103012012-08-16T11:50:22.629-04:002012-08-16T11:50:22.629-04:00I ve yet to read juch of his work recently picked ...I ve yet to read juch of his work recently picked a couple up so will soon put my lack of knowledge on his works right ,all the best stustujallenhttp://winstonsdad.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-37671557957809880372012-08-16T09:23:35.313-04:002012-08-16T09:23:35.313-04:00I really liked A rebours (sorry, can never locate ...I really liked A rebours (sorry, can never locate accents on keyboards) and would love to know what you make of it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-49368279337634690992012-08-14T17:49:03.021-04:002012-08-14T17:49:03.021-04:00I will return to your dusty but action-packed Balz...I will return to your dusty but action-packed Balzac reader's guide once I move on to my next book by him. Am also interested in some of his short stories and novellas despite my maybe being a little unkind to <em>EG</em> on Monday.Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-71380197780087170852012-08-14T17:45:29.811-04:002012-08-14T17:45:29.811-04:00In hindsight, maybe I should have started with Pèr...In hindsight, maybe I should have started with <em>Père Goriot</em> or <em>Lost Illusions</em>. However, I'm not all that bummed that I started with <em>Eugénie Grandet</em>. It was "readable."Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-11897943109783356472012-08-14T17:43:04.758-04:002012-08-14T17:43:04.758-04:00Thanks, Litlove, but I'm semi-tough--I think I...Thanks, Litlove, but I'm semi-tough--I think I survived the Balzacian beatdown from you and Tom anyway! Funny you mentioning that great weirdo Huysmans, the creator of my hero/role model Des Esseintes--have been meaning to reread <em>À rebours</em> for a couple of years now, so this might be just the push I needed. I'm getting all tingly just thinking about it, in fact. Thanks for the suggestion!Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-58603040680694432062012-08-14T17:34:18.784-04:002012-08-14T17:34:18.784-04:00Margo Lanagan? Now, I'm really confused about...Margo Lanagan? Now, I'm really confused about what to expect this from novella other than an unsatisfying reading experience for non-unicorn fans! However, staying true to your advice, I'll give Balzac a free pass on this one if it turns out to be a dud pour moi. Cheers!Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-66518025812869136442012-08-14T14:50:27.404-04:002012-08-14T14:50:27.404-04:00Touché! Go decadence!!Touché! Go decadence!!Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-79777230481572613412012-08-14T14:49:48.063-04:002012-08-14T14:49:48.063-04:00Thanks for all these wonderful tips--and the juicy...Thanks for all these wonderful tips--and the juicy laugh about that Gautier Project Runway extravaganza! You have sold me on <em>Père Goriot</em> now, by the way: "ends with the greatest declaration of principled cynicism in literature." How inspiring!Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-28546666910933473392012-08-14T14:40:09.631-04:002012-08-14T14:40:09.631-04:00Sickly sweet? I thought it was supposed to be dep...Sickly sweet? I thought it was supposed to be depraved and vile. What a letdown! :DRichardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-43669843505520407822012-08-14T14:10:19.427-04:002012-08-14T14:10:19.427-04:00A little dusty but it works!
Or skip that & r...A little dusty <a href="http://wutheringexpectations.blogspot.com/2008/11/balzac-recap-where-to-start.html" rel="nofollow">but it works</a>!<br /><br />Or skip that & read <i>Père Goriot</i> which is the book that really gets the interlocking-story contraption going. <i>Lost Illusions</i> follws <i>PG</i>. Just ignore the thing about the diamonds - that's all explained in <a href="http://wutheringexpectations.blogspot.com/2010/09/32-gobseck-putrid-pies-mouldy-fish-nay.html" rel="nofollow">separate story</a>.Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-23351367195634362342012-08-14T13:59:19.356-04:002012-08-14T13:59:19.356-04:00So here's a question for the Balzac fans: what...So here's a question for the Balzac fans: what would be a good start? I'm thinking of reading Lost Illusions? Is that a good novel by him?LMRhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08538873868140070018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-31964420411678104122012-08-14T04:30:54.771-04:002012-08-14T04:30:54.771-04:00Poor Richard, jumped on by us Balzac fans. When it...Poor Richard, jumped on by us Balzac fans. When it boils down to it, a reader likes what they like, right? If you're ever in the mood for it, and haven't read him already, I'd definitely suggest Huysmans. Now he really is the oddest, weirdest, craziest of the French Crazies. He may be more to your taste.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-17200652565228961782012-08-14T03:23:34.930-04:002012-08-14T03:23:34.930-04:00Now I'm curious and think Riahcrda has to read...Now I'm curious and think Riahcrda has to read La Fille aux yeux d'or after all. <br />If I'm not totally mistaken, I seem to remember you're not too fond of it either? Put into the words you choose it does sound like Richard would like it BUT I think he will end up comparing it to Margo Lanagan. Hehe.<br />Richard, do it, it's short... but don't base you decision on going on reading Blazac or not on the outcome. If you like it, you will not find anything like it in his oeuvre. If you don't, you can be sure there isn't anything like it in his works. Carolinehttp://beautyisasleepingcat.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-57788880244647297442012-08-13T14:26:28.218-04:002012-08-13T14:26:28.218-04:00How funny that Caroline and I use the word "s...How funny that Caroline and I use the word "sweet" simultaneously, but with entirely different meanings.<br /><br />What is more decadent than "sickly sweet"?Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-34786731089997641192012-08-13T14:24:19.035-04:002012-08-13T14:24:19.035-04:00NOOOO. Do not read La Fille aux yeux d'or. Tha...NOOOO. Do not read La Fille aux yeux d'or. That would drive you off the Balzac path for good. It's so sickly sweet.Carolinehttp://beautyisasleepingcat.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-9807234081556767412012-08-13T14:23:54.052-04:002012-08-13T14:23:54.052-04:00Ragged and all over the place - that's Hugo! ...Ragged and all over the place - that's Hugo! <i>Notre Dame de Paris</i>, published the year before <i>EG</i>, is the place to go. Or maybe Gautier's conceptual cross-dressing novel <i>Mademoiselle du Maupin</i> (published 4 years after), granddaddy (and grandmama) of the Decadents.<br /><br />Stendhal is frying other fish. His sentences can also be awfully plain.<br /><br />I thought of another characteristic that separates <i>EG</i> from almost all of the other Balzac I have read. <i>EG</i> is <i>sweet</i> Balzac - bittersweet, yes. (<i>Ursule Mirouët</i> is the only novel as sweet - Balzac called it "<i>Eugénie Grandet</i> with a happy ending"). <i>Père Goriot</i> by contrast ends with the greatest declaration of principled cynicism in literature.Amateur Reader (Tom)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13675275555757408496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-7386105133925200262012-08-13T13:46:06.622-04:002012-08-13T13:46:06.622-04:00Tom, what wonderful defense attorneys you and Litl...Tom, what wonderful defense attorneys you and Litlove make! However, I still wished I was reading one of your Weird France novelists instead of Balzac during much of <em>EG</em>. "Lurid, ethically dubious, and completely insane"? Now you're talking my language! Your third and fourth points are particularly helpful to me in terms of better appreciating and understanding this novel because Balzac's prose, while not really complaint-worthy to me here, surprised me on account of its "tightly structured" nature; I had expected him to be more ragged, more all over the place in some regard (at least in comparison to Flaubert), and I was surprised when he wasn't. There's definitely a fine amount of irony throughout as well, although I might not have appreciated that as much as you. As far as the most important point of all, my beef with <em>Born to Run</em>, well, some feuds are just built to last. "Thunder Road" is actually a song I think is really, really great, but the rest of that record just isn't what it's cracked up to be at all. If I had wanted to be really mean to Balzac, though, I would have compared him to Billy Joel and not Springsteen. Nuff said!Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1911087927983597831.post-65449754880114858492012-08-13T13:23:41.165-04:002012-08-13T13:23:41.165-04:00Bellezza, thanks, reading EG in its original langu...Bellezza, thanks, reading <em>EG</em> in its original language was a worthwhile and enjoyable experience all in all--but I think this post was only "powerful" in terms of the reactions it provoked from our Balzac fan friends intent on telling me how wrong I am about the novel! That said, I agree that the character study aspects of the novel were more interesting than the prose in some ways--and the prose was likely more "subtle" than I give it credit for given that Balzac managed to hold my interest throughout. P.S. I just started the Flaubert yesterday; it will likely take me a while to get through it with my remedial French!Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01746599416342846897noreply@blogger.com