As I did my research on this novel, I came across some of the covers that were used in this novel. What I noticed was the consistent wordplay that Perec used. Even on the cover of W, or the memory of Childhood, the “w” was more like two v’s. In french the letter “w” can directly be translated to two v’s which I thought was symbolic in regards to the novel.
I mention this in every post but I really did enjoy reading this novel the most. However, I did find the format of the story somewhat off putting and confusing. It did remind me of Paris Peasant in regards to how Perec kept jumping from one thought to another. At times, I did get lost in the story line but nonetheless, the duality of the two stories within one novel really did keep me on the hook.
What stood out to me the most was the alternating stories. At times I felt as if Perec was having some sort of conflict when writing the two stories as if he was trying to fill in the gaps that were left from his childhood. Despite these gaps, I feel as if the absence of certain memories from his childhood told us more than we were able to read. When experiencing a traumatic series of events, especially at a young age, it is completely understandable to have these memory gaps as if your own mind is trying to shut out what was seen. There was a sense of vulnerability in his writing as he wrote his experiences from Nazi occupied France. Especially on page 6, when he was talking about his lack of childhood memories. A quote that stood out was “For years, I took comfort in such an absence of history: its objective crispness, its apparent obviousness, its innocence protected me; but what did they protect me from, if not precisely from my history, the story of my living, my real story, my own story, which presumably was neither crisp or objective, nor apparently obvious, nor obviously innocent?”(page 6). The sorrowful tone of words used was what stood out. The lack of memories from his childhood was what he felt was protecting him.
Overall, the duality of the two stories within “W, or the Memory of Childhood” was an interesting format to read. His vulnerability while reading really expressed the reason for his lack of childhood memories.
It was really an interesting structure, its like one of those movies that keeps alternating from reality to fantasy every scene or so. But yea i agree that Perec was filling in the gaps for his missing memories of certain points with a fictional story. It was like an intermission of sorts.
-Xyrus Ramos
Hello! I agree with what you said about the alternating stories. This element of the novel made it really stand out from the others. It does seem like he is trying to fill in the gaps of his memories with his imagination.
After reading what you mentioned about the different covers I was compelled to see them myself and I agree the VV/W thing is very interesting!
Hi! I liked your perspective on the duality of the narratives! Perec does seem like he is in conflict with himself and I agree with you that because of the traumatic events he faced in his childhood these caused gaps in his memory. Although he shares a significant amount of his childhood, he even acknowledges that there are parts he does not remember. – Jaisleen Thind