Immediately, the writing of this book surprised me（´∇｀”）I didn’t know it was written recently, so the short, punchy sentences were not what I expected. Still, despite how seemingly to-the-point and emotionless the sentences were, the overall raw feeling of this book made it so that it took a bit more effort for me to read, but I think I still enjoyed it!
Reading Debré’s fight to see her son after she leaves her husband was frustrating. Everything was still “normal” before she brought up the divorce, even though they were already acting like a divorced couple. It was only when she stopped performing what was demanded of a mother and wife by society that people around her started having a problem (¬_¬”). To see not only the legal system side with Laurent when he weaponised their son and her sexuality against her, but also her friends and acquaintances turn their backs as well, was eye-opening but not in a good way. And the amount of times that something was promised to her by the courts, such as a regulated place to meet her son or a psychiatrist to determine her ability to still be a part of her son’s life, yet was not provided to her on time, was devastating. Time goes by so fast for a child, and even though she lets go by the end, the time she missed because her son was kept from her was huge.
Yet Debré takes up all the space she feels like, despite that being a big reason why she has to fight against everything. I admire that.
When reading the lecture transcript, I did find myself agreeing that sometimes this book felt like “too much” (╭ರ_•́) Parts of it felt a bit uncomfortable, but I also feel admiration for that as well? The grief, the desires, the frustration, and everything else that Debré goes through is put there on the page in so much detail. As someone who has a hard time writing even half as much detail and reflection in a journal that only I myself will read, it was interesting (and kind of inspiring?) to learn so much about someone else through their writing. Maybe I felt uncomfortable because we usually expect a bit more of someone to be held back in public? It probably would have felt safer, but in the end I’m glad to have read so much of her. What do you think?
I think in general, this book put me in a place of discomfort that also made me admire Debré (I’m so sorry for repeating “admire” so much (╥‸╥)). I’m sad we won’t have a discussion for this, but I’m excited to read everyone’s thoughts on it ◝(ᵔᗜᵔ)◜
See you for the conclusion!
Julie ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ
7 replies on “Debré – being one’s true self”
“…I did find myself agreeing that sometimes this book felt like “too much” “. That seems to be the most perplexing aspect: too little for some readers (from what I’ve seen on blogs this week) or too overwhelming for others; this novel falls somewhere between these two extremes. Between restraint and accumulation, there is a clear break with other narrative styles we’ve encountered.
Hi Julie! Always love seeing the little emotes you sprinkle into your writing :>> Definitely agree that the narrator’s fight for her son was frustrating, I really don’t know how else to describe it.
“Maybe I felt uncomfortable because we usually expect a bit more of someone to be held back in public?”
I agree, I was constantly surprised by the book and just how raw it was, I think that out of the ones I read this term, this novel has had the most explicit descriptions of the narrator’s sexuality and sexual encounters / activities, which really is admirable for its daring, if nothing else. I love what you said: “It probably would have felt safer, but in the end I’m glad to have read so much of her.” I think this really encapsulates my experience and feelings with this book.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts!! See you in class for conclusions :’)
Hi Julie! Love reading your thoughts. To answer your question, I agree the raw honesty can feel uncomfortable because it breaks the boundaries we expect or have know our entire lives but that’s also what makes it powerful and inspiring. I think it shows how deeply writing can capture someone’s inner world, even if it feels like “too much.”
Hi Julie!
Those conflicting feelings of discomfort and admiration was something that caught my attention too and is exactly what makes this text so powerful to experience!
Hey Julie,
I think that the feeling of discomfort was pretty strong in this book. I think the book gave some slimmers of hope but most of the time the despair was just overpowering. The feelings which are conveyed to us are just real and understandable for someone going through her situation. It’s admirable too, I thought as she stood up for herself when the world seems to want to tell her what to do and how to be.
Hey Julie, your point about how Debre only faced backlash once she stopped performing expected roles is especially powerful. And I agree that the rawness can feel like “too much”, but that honesty is also what makes it so compelling and memorable.
I totally thought it was written way further back too, maybe that is just because I associate French authors with 1700-mid 1900s literature. This book really was frustrating with the way ‘society’ treated Constance once she no longer conformed to their expectations… but I guess in many ways that’s what made it interesting right? If it were perfect then there would be no story to tell.