Month: February 2024

Posted on

Week 7: The Time of the Doves

The Time of the Doves, originally published in Catalan, written by Mercè Rodoreda. On introduction to this book, I was reminded of a short story I had studied in high-school – Old Man at the Bridge by Ernest Hemingway. Immediately apparent why, this short story follows a solider during the Spanish civil-war, as he encounters an old man attempting to escape the brutality in his small town by making the arduous trek across a pontoon bridge, into Barcelona.  I enjoyed this book thoroughly, while not loving it, I thought it was an interesting read. The style of narration of this book was very captivating and associative. The book follows Natalia, the protagonist, as she narrates her life, one thing after another, constantly building on the last thought. The basic plot follows Natalia, as a young woman, in Barcelona during the Spanish civil-war. The story offers a look into the struggles of survival, resilience and grief during the war and how a woman with children would attempt to navigate this. It’s a story of the melting of the political and the personal, how war and strife affect people. Natalia is a simple woman and this is evident from the first few pages. Natalia’s narration in the beginning is uncomplicated, yet descriptive. It is important to note that Natalia’s uncomplicated narration does not indicate a lack of quality from the author, rather the opposite. Despite having simple narration, Rodoreda does an excellent job of keeping the reader hooked and following the story.  Furthermore, we see this maintained throughout the story, where Natalia consistently attempts to just roll with the punches. This is certainly a story set during a war, not one of the army and its battles, but one of the populace and its battles. This choice of the author, to represent the reality of the struggles of the people, further manifested itself in the ignorance of people, even in the face of war.  Overall, this book is one chocked-full of heart-wrenching emotion.

 

Question: Did you appreciate the narrative style, how we follow the flow of thought of Natalia, or do you prefer something we encountered in a previous book?

Posted on

Week 6: Black Shack Alley

Black Shack Alley, a book by Joseph Zobel, is the story of a young boy navigating the struggles of childhood, in colonial Martinique. I especially enjoyed this book for its ability to weave intricate descriptions and exciting moments, capturing the essence of adolescence and its inevitable transition into adulthood. The novel is predicated on its portrayal of life through the eyes of children. Their playful adventures, vividly described, resonate with a universal understanding of childhood exploration and joy. However, these experiences are more than just mere fun embellished with vivid imagery, the children’s interactions and experiences shape their understanding of themselves and their place in the world. This book tackles many difficult themes such as colonialism, oppression, class struggle, and the difficulty of growing up. Black Shack Alley doesn’t shy away from portraying the harsh realities of poverty and the suffocating grip of colonialism. José and his friends are constantly struggling to make ends meet, and they are often exposed to violence and crime. The novel also explores the impact of colonialism on the people of Martinique. The French colonial government is portrayed as being corrupt and exploitative, and the novel shows how colonialism has had a negative impact on the lives of the black people of Martinique. This focus on the oppressed, rather than the oppressor-oppressed dynamic, allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the struggles and resilience of the community. However, Zobel doesn’t paint a bleak picture of despair. He celebrates the rich cultural tapestry of Shack Alley, highlighting its beauty, joy, intricacy, and diversity. Despite their hardships, the community fosters a sense of belonging and connection, offering solace and strength to its members. Another theme highlighted in this book is intergenerational connections and how we are so heavily related to our parents. Growing up involves recognizing ourselves in our parents, tracing our own beginnings to their stories and forging our individual paths as the story continues, but it is imperative to consider that, children inherit not only their parents’ genes but also their experiences and struggles, carrying forward a cultural lineage while embarking on their unique journeys. Overall, I found this to be one of the most interesting reading thus far. The topics and themes of colonialism is something that has been of interest to me for a long time, and it was wonderful to see them being represented in such a manner.

 

Question: A lot of us come from countries and cultures that were previously colonized or oppressed in some form. What similarities or differences did you notice with the portrayal of oppression and colonialism here in comparison with your lived experiences and what you know of your people’s history?

Posted on

Week 5: Agostino

Agostino, a novel by Alberto Moravia, is the coming of age story of a young boy, with his widowed mother. Set on a beautiful sunny beach in the Italian summer, this book explores themes of loss, angst, youth, innocence, sexuality and the complexities of trying to understand the world around you. Infatuated with his mother, Agostino has to grapple with the loss of his mothers’ attention, attempting to fill this hole by befriending an aggressive local boy and falling into the cycle of trying to prove himself to them. The key characteristic of this novel is by far its imagery. Moravia has mastered the art of creating a beautifully descriptive, yet simple world, serving as a supreme depiction of the power of his imagination. From the first paragraph, Moravia’s captivating descriptions of both the locations and the protagonists emotions are extremely compelling. The picturesque nature of the book serves, in some part, to help reduce the level of discomfort one experiences at times during this book. Agostino’s sexual awakening throughout the course of this summer, both with his mother and with the group of boys, is one of the key aspects of his growth. His lack of experience and knowledge is a key point, both with him struggling to understand the emotions he feels for his mother and with the group of boys. All of this is extremely important in Moravia’s portrayal of sexuality and the angst of the protagonist in trying to navigate his confusion while attempting to portray himself as confident and tough, so as to fit in with the other boys. Moreover, the changing nature of his sentiments towards his mother, and how it changes after discovering the world of sexuality, leaves Agostino in a state of conflict between his emotions of attraction and repulsion. This reflects the mixing of innocence and corruption, and how he is losing his innocence, a universal experience for all. The taboo nature of these themes and the manner in which Moravia explores them serves to effectively reflect the experience of being a growing adolescent. Additionally, the reflection of the disparity between classes and their experiences is illustrated through Agostinos relationship with the boys. This book is filled with powerful, yet sometimes unsettling, imagery, which serves to create a wonderfully enthralling atmosphere and reading experience. Overall, I really enjoyed this reading.

Question: How would you describe your adolescent years? Were they at all similar to Agostino’s experience?

Spam prevention powered by Akismet