The End – Conclusion

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Hello everyone, welcome to my last blog post of the semester. We have made it to the end of our blog journey for this class which feels bittersweet. When we started the semester and I signed my contract it felt like the end was nowhere in sight but it went by faster than I could imagine. 

With that, I just want to say I really enjoyed taking Romance Studies this semester as Professor Jon, the TAs, and everyone in the class made it a fun experience. The enthusiasm shown for reading and the in-class discussions were very interesting and motivating. I enjoyed this system of blog posts and comments – something I was a bit intimidated by at the beginning of the semester. In my introduction blog post, I talked about being nervous and intimidated by writing and literature as it is not my strongest suit. I was also not sure how to feel about the readings at first as I am not the biggest fan of reading. However, I feel completely different about this now and enjoyed doing every blog post along with reading the novels. One of my biggest goals for this class was to leave as a stronger reader and find more interest in reading. I think I fulfilled this goal as I read many different novels that I would not have read otherwise in my day-to-day life. This course exposed me to different genres and styles of writing and reading. 

My favourite novel that I read this semester would probably be “Black Shack Alley”. I enjoyed the storyline of this book and found it to be one of the less complicated reads out of all the books I read. I liked the coming of age theme as well as the fact that it touched on real-life struggles. On the other hand, my least favourite novel was probably the last novel I read which was “Faces in the Crowd”. I could not get into this book and found it very difficult to follow the storyline. This was one of the only novels I kept putting down and coming back to as I lacked interest in it. Moreover, I am grateful I still read a novel like this as it challenged my thinking and exposed me to the concept that not all literature is meant for everyone. 

To conclude, I am very glad I took this class and it is probably one of my favourite classes I have taken thus far. I will recommend this course to anyone who is looking for a good literature class. 

Thank you to everyone for an amazing semester 🙂

Discussion Question: 

What was your favourite aspect of this course (i.e. contract style, blogs, in-class discussions, readings, etc)?

The Most Challenging Novel of the Semester? – Faces in the Crowd

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For my final reading this semester, I read “Faces in the Crowd” by Valeria Luiselli. As I am sure many of us can relate, this book was quite confusing and to some extent hard to follow along. I did not seem to get into the book like I hoped to and found myself putting it down often and then picking it up again. This is where the lecture became beneficial as I was able to turn it on to find some flow and motivation to understand the book better. The lecture touched on different ideas such as “folding time” and “burrowing through space” which provided insight into the book. The lecture also clarified how there was potentially more than one novel at play and how there were changing fragments. 

Further, I am a reader who has quite a short attention span so the changing narratives (i.e. past and present) in the book and interruptions of other stories had me stressed out. For instance, we see that there are perhaps four different time zones featured in the novel such as the narrator’s younger life, her current life, Owen’s younger self, and Owen looking back to his younger self in the future when he’s older. These switches had my brain working overtime so I hope I captured the time zones correctly as this is a lot for one book. As I am sitting here writing this blog post I’m not sure I have fully understood the novel and I recognize that it is okay because every novel is not easy to comprehend as some are meant to be challenging. Also as Professor Jon has said before, it’s okay if we are confused by a novel or don’t like it. 🙂

Moreover, once I finish reading a novel or watching a film I often think about connections and similar literature. For this novel, the interruptions and the changing fragments in it somewhat reminded me of the book some of us read this semester “If on a Winters Night a Traveller”. For anyone who did not read this book, it was a novel that had many different stories incorporated in one. Although these two books are not the same, the part I drew a connection to was how it felt like there was more than one novel at play. I may seem like a hater of this novel but I did not hate it rather it was just not for me. With that being said, this was not my favourite novel this semester but glad it challenged my thinking. 

Discussion Question:

If any, what part of the book did you find the most confusing or hardest to understand? 

Purge? – Death with Interruptions

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Wow, we are almost at the end of all of the readings as I am sitting here at my desk writing a blog post on my second to last novel of the semester. 

For this week’s reading, I chose to read “Death With Interruptions’ by José Sarmago. I chose this book for no particular reason other than the title and front cover which I would advise may not be the ideal way to choose a novel. This method of choosing a novel is unusual for me as I normally like to gain a little bit of insight or background on the book I am reading as I am not a fan of surprises. However, for this novel, I went into it not knowing anything about it or what it is about. Hence, once I looked at the PDF of the novel, the back of the novel was displayed so I started with that. The first sentence I read was “On the first day of the new year, no one dies”. I stopped at this point and thought “Wait this is giving Purge but the opposite”. As many of us may know, The Purge is a movie based on a 12-hour period in which all crimes are legal, even murder. This one line gave me the vibe and anxious feeling of the purge siren and the announcement made for the time period to begin. Then I thought maybe this was a weird and intrusive connection and continued reading.

As I started reading the novel I quickly realized I was in for an interesting ride as this was quite a philosophical book in certain senses and actually not about the purge. The book discusses the concept of death from different perspectives such as relaying it to religion, careers, and society in general. The book discusses the concept of not having death as well as its implications (i.e. What would happen to those who work closely with death?). There were a lot of “what if” questions that the book presented which fit its speculative fiction genre. It had me thinking about new perspectives as I have never thought about what would happen to religious institutions like churches if there was no death. Moreover, we are so accustomed to thinking about the world in normal practice that when ideas like the ones in the novel are brought to our attention it has us in a loophole. With that being said, this is a good read for people who are open to skepticism and deep thoughts about the world. 

Discussion Question:

What institution or job (i.e., health care system, funeral institutions, etc) would be the most affected if there was no death in our world?

True Crime – “Money to Burn”

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For this week’s blog post, I will be discussing the novel “Money to Burn” by Ricardo Piglia. I found this book to be one of the more interesting reads this semester as I am a big fan of anything thriller. I really enjoy thriller movies and books as they keep you on your toes. I am also a sucker for anything to do with true crime and the legal system. Therefore, after doing some background research on this book I was intrigued by the fact that it was based on a true story. The book is based on a crime that happened in Buenos Aires such that a group of bank robbers were on the run after they had robbed a bank. However, after tips and police reports the men in the gang do get caught in their scheme.

As I started reading the novel and the story of the crime progressed I could not help but to draw connections to Netflix series that are based on similar crimes. One docuseries that specifically stood out to me was “The Greatest Robbery of Brazil’s Central Bank”. This show delved into the biggest robbery in Brazil history which was  committed by a group of men similar to this book. In the show, the group of men made history by transporting 3.5 tons of money through tunnels and completing the crime.  The difference between the book and show is that in the book the gang gets caught after a certain time whereas in the show all the men do not get caught rather they completed the crime to its greatest extent. The show and the book had their differences but the overarching themes seemed to be related and similar. Hence, this book seemed to be very prevalent as many shows and documentaries that discuss similar crimes in history. 

Furthermore, one aspect of the novel that also caught my attention was how it touched on the idea of how relationships suffer or fall apart when under pressure or when the legal system is at play. In crime, it is very common for people to turn on one another or to throw others under the bus if that means being saved from legal trouble. At the time of a crime, everyone seems to be on the same page but the precautions that follow it can be treacherous and unexpected. With that being said, I enjoyed reading this novel and it has become one of my favourites this semester.

Discussion Question:

Did this book remind you of any other movie or book and if so what did it remind you of? 

The Uncomfortable Readings Continue- The Lover

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For this week’s blog post, I read the novel “The Lover” by Marguerite Duras. To start, I feel as if I have many thoughts and opinions on this book but in some sense do not know how to articulate them as there is a lot to say. So, I am going to start from the beginning and say that my initial thoughts of this novel were that it is quite disturbing and uncomfortable yet realistic in some sense. 

In the novel, the young narrator (Duras) begins a sexual relationship with a much older Chinese man. This relationship was intolerable as the girl was 15 and the man was much older. The man was receiving sexual pleasure out of the relationship while in return the narrator was getting money from the man. We see that there seems to be this exchange as a sexual relationship emerges rather quickly after the man meets the narrator and once there is a conversation about her financial state. This concept of monetary exchange for sexual pleasures and a relationship is troublesome considering the age difference between the two individuals. This made me feel sad as the narrator was doing whatever she could do to provide for her family who was not the greatest, especially her older brother who was quite abusive. Learning the family dynamics and more details about the narrator’s relationship sparked some real-world connections. For example, in some parts of India, some families use their daughters for monetary gain in a similar way to how the narrator is. Families are aware that the girls are using their bodies and engaging with older men for money or it is encouraged to do so as money is tight. As a young woman, I cannot imagine how women in this situation feel or the mental toll that such a situation takes. 

On the other hand, this novel sparked emotions of anger towards “the lover” who was the man in the relationship. He willingly engaged in such a relationship with a young woman, feeling like he took advantage of her for sexual reasons. It was also gross that the man knew that what he was doing was illegal but still continued to do it. This was disheartening as this also happens in the real-world via predators and pedophiles. However, this question of who is taken advantage of gets tricky as they were both getting something out of it even though it is unsettling. 

Discussion Question:

Who did you feel was taken the most advantage of in the relationship and why?

The Purpose of Reading – If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler

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For this week’s blog post I read the novel “If on a Winter’s Night a Traveller” by Italo Calvino. At first, while I started to read this novel I was a bit confused as to what was going on as a new story would emerge while trying to finish a chapter. This is the first metafiction novel I read so it took a bit of time to adjust to the style. However, as I kept reading I was quite intrigued with the novel style as it dove into different perspectives of reading. With that, I will discuss one of the main themes in the novel which was reading. Reading is something that could be done in many different ways, viewed through many perspectives, and interpreted through different lenses.

This novel explored two different perspectives of reading which were reading for pleasure and reading for academic critique. Ludmilla represented that people read for personal pleasure whereas Lotaria looks into the behind the scenes and what goes into writing and publishing a book. Ludmilla does not really know what to expect while she starts reading something new while Lotaria has expectations for what she is going to read. I found this very interesting as when I start a new novel, I do not really think of the process that went into writing it or publishing it. I sometimes search for a summary of what is to come in a novel before I start reading but it is not extensive research by any means. This perspective depicted by Lotaria is important to consider as it can shape the way you interpret the book and the meaning of it. Although I now realize the importance of this, I found that I always seem to read for pleasure. I pick up a book and continue reading it if I find it amusing or if I can learn something from it. I recognize that this may be a narrow minded approach and that there is more to reading than just the surface level. 

Furthermore, this novel showcased the importance of the different reading mechanisms but it did seem to me that it emphasized that the correct way to read is for pleasure. I don’t particularly agree with this as reading can be individualistic and done differently. People read for different means and some people enjoy reading and do it whenever they can while others do not. Therefore, I really enjoyed how this novel expanded my view on reading as a whole. 

Discussion Question:

Do you find yourself relating more to Ludmilla’s approach of reading for pleasure or Lotarias of reading for academic purposes? 

The Challenges of Motherhood and War – “The Time of the Doves” by Rodoreda

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To begin, the novel “The Time of the Doves” by Merce Rodoreda was a roller coaster of emotions as it had immense imagery and thought-provoking concepts. The novel is quite dark and heart-wrenching as there are very few happy moments and quite a lot of sad and hard ones. Throughout the semester we have read novels that have had difficult moments and similar ideas but there were moments in which one could find some sort of happiness. This was not the case in this novel thus, I found it to be a more emotionally challenging read. However, I enjoyed the humane aspect of this novel as it depicted the life of women during war and raising children in times of hardship very well. 

With that, this novel is written in first person narration and tells the story of a woman named Natalia’s life during the time of war very explicitly. Natalia encounters many circumstances in the war and figures out ways to navigate through life as well as raising her children, maintaining a marriage, and working. Throughout the novel, we learn that Natalia is a very hard-working woman and does not stop working until she no longer can. Natalia was raising her children on her own without the support of others such as a good father figure. This emphasis on hard work and continuing with day-to-day life portrayed how ordinary people lived their lives away during the war. Also, the story shows the challenges that a naive woman may face in her lifetime. One can observe that Natalia is a naive woman who has a troubling time saying no to people and does things as they command. We can see this happen with her marriage as she follows her husband Quimet’s requests often as he is abusive and controlling. I did not enjoy reading the parts Quimet was in as just seemed so helpless and self-centered. This made me sympathize with Natalia a bit more as she was almost alone on her journey despite being married. 

Furthermore, one part of the novel that provoked strong emotion was when Natalia got to the point of ending it all. Her family was starving and she could no longer bear the pain of this life she was living so she decided to end her life along with her two children’s lives. This part of the novel is quite dark and sad as it showcases that sometimes people get into a very dim place in life. People are constantly fighting mental health battles and they try to push through them but eventually, there comes a time when all hope is lost. Therefore, this novel was not an easy read but was written very well and sends an insightful message. 

Discussion question:

Were you able to find any happy moments in the novel that made you smile and if so what were they?

The Harsh Realities of the Early Twentieth Century – Black Shack Alley

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For this week’s reading, I read the novel “Black Shack Alley ” by Joseph Zobel. Before choosing this novel, I read a preface on it which deeply caught my attention and interest. I enjoy reading novels about real-life events/ history which is what this story entailed. The novel truly lived up to its expectations making it an amazing read. Furthermore, this novel was very insightful yet quite devastating to read as it touched on harsh issues of racism, white supremacy, poverty, slavery, and more. These are issues that have impacted people for centuries but more specifically it has left an everlasting influence on people of colour. This struggle and impact are showcased in the novel through Jose’s life story and his childhood set in the early twentieth century. 

Throughout Jose’s childhood, we can see the kids are trying to find the joys in life but are restricted by the adults and the circumstances surrounding them. The children find some freedom in their lives when the adults are at work but they do not understand the impacts their behaviours and mischief are having. The adults lived a very restrictive life and were hard at work in the cane fields under their white bosses which depicted the oppression at the time. I found this idea of freedom in childhood very touching and emotional as kids should be able to live their early lives without stress and hardships. I remember longing to be outside for most of the day playing with my friends while being a kid as those were the little things to look forward to. 

Additionally, another aspect of the story that was quite impactful was the concept of education and Jose’s desperation to receive an education. The opportunity to get an education is sometimes something that can be taken for granted. Not everyone gets the same opportunities and it was fulfilling knowing that Jose was able to attend school in the second part of the story. Further, I enjoyed how this novel told the story of oppressed people instead of the interactions between the oppressed and their oppressors. Most of the novels I have read have been from the perspective of the oppressed versus the oppressor. Although this novel is about oppression and racism it is focused on one group of people and did not highlight the perspective of the oppressors. I think this narrative makes the story very powerful and different from other literature of this time. It is important that the voices of the oppressed are heard and their story is told to their liking. With that being said, Black Shack Alley invoked many emotions and perceptions but was a great read. 

Discussion Question:

What were your thoughts regarding the perspective in which the story was told from?

The Case of a Dysfunctional Family – Nada by Carmen Leforet

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For this week’s reading, I read the novel “Nada” by Carmen Leforet. I would like to start by saying, wow what a journey this book was to read. This book was dark and far from being light-hearted as it focused on gut-wrenching issues that families faced after the Spanish Civil War such as domestic struggles, poverty (living in horrible conditions), and class hierarchy. The story is narrated by a young girl named Andrea and it revolves around her dysfunctional family. There was a focus on the struggles within their relationships but to some extent, the family dynamics felt realistic. For example, Andreas’ aunt, Gloria was a victim of her husband Juan’s abuse and could not leave the marriage with ease. This struggle of leaving an abusive relationship can be relatable for some people as leaving such a situation involves many fears and sacrifices. At one point in the novel I empathized with Gloria as leaving such a situation can be easier said than done and especially felt horrible when her child was facing the brunt of the abuse as well. However, as the story progressed I started to lose this sense of empathy a bit as I felt like something was missing from her end. With that being said, I was not a fan of Juan as his character provoked emotions such as anger and hatred due to his actions. 

Additionally, one character whom I did not know how to feel about was the grandmother. She was loving and kind but at the same time, she possessed some traditional and what seemed like some sexist views. Throughout the novel, we learn the men are cheaters, abusive, and controlling yet the grandmother praises them in questionable ways. She tells the women to adapt to the traditional Christian ways while the men are toxic and harmful. 

Furthermore, shifting away from the bad and confusing characters I would say I enjoyed the relationship between Andrea and her friend Ena. Amongst all of the chaos that Andrea was experiencing with starting university, her family and moving she was able to find some sort of peace through Ena. I think this bond and friendship revealed that sometimes in life finding one person who is there for you can calm the storms of life. It is important to find the pillars in your life on which you can lean on in times of hardship. 

With that, I am sure my classmates who read this novel can relate to this feeling of not liking certain characters and being confused about others. Overall, I enjoyed reading this novel.

Discussion question:

If any, what character could you empathise or sympathise with the most in this novel and why?

Ana Maria – A Glimpse of her Life

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To begin, “The Shrouded Women” by Bombal has been my favourite novel thus far in the course. Although it might be too early to claim a favourite (it is only the third novel I have read), I think this is going to be a hard one to compete with. The reason I say this is because I am a big fan of stories that express hardship, misunderstandings, and relationships in life which of all were emphasized in this novel. I enjoy reading literature that feels intimate and which has an aspect of relatability and connection to humanism. I found myself submerged in the novel as I enjoyed the style of it, the storyline, and the themes. The novel was short, direct, and full of emotions on an intimate level provoking many feelings for the reader. I prefer reading shorter novels as longer ones often result in boredom or confusion about what is happening. 

Furthermore, this novel is written in first-person narration by a woman, Ana Maria who is dead. She is reflecting on her life and the memories from the past. Even though she is dead it feels as if she is alive to some extent throughout it because she is still in tune with her senses as she can think, feel, and see what is around her. This is showcased in the beginning of the novel as she can hear and see the people whom she once had a relationship with at her funeral. Additionally, throughout the story we can see how Ana is a multifaceted and versatile character. She is depicted as a loving, jealous, beautiful, and cold human during different parts of her life.

In regards to the content, I think Ana explained her past in a great and relatable manner as she examines real-life events that happen to many people such as the feelings of having your first love, regrets in life, struggles in marriage, and challenges with close relationships. Many people do not share the pains of life when they are alive due to societal fears and judgement. Ana examines this idea as she delves into the struggles of being a woman in a marriage and living up to the expectations in place. Society places much pressure on women to live up to certain standards to be successful and happy. The emphasis on such topics is why I enjoyed the novel as it touches on real-life troubles. With that being said, “The Shrouded Women” was an amazing read and will be one I recommend to others.

 

Discussion Question

It may be impossible to tell your life story after death, but if you had the chance to recap your life after death, what would you include in your story?