Wednesday Reading Meme

[osprey_archer]

What I’ve Just Finished Reading

Carol Ryrie Brink’s Mademoiselle Misfortune, a charming book from the 1930s. Young Alice is the oldest of six look-alike sisters in Paris, and one day overhears the landlady sighing that the girls are six misfortunes for their family: imagine having to pay six dowries! But soon after, a crotchety American lady (the sister of a friend of the family’s) asks Alice to accompany her on a trip through France as her interpreter, in which position Alice comes into her own as a person. Delightful illustrations by Kate Seredy.

I realize there’s no guarantee that an author will ever meet her illustrator, but I hope Brink and Seredy did come to know each other, as based purely on their books I think they could have been besties.

What I’m Reading Now

Frolicking through E. M. Delafield’s The Provincial Lady in America. No deep thoughts, just enjoying this whirlwind tour of the American literary world in the 1930s. Apparently everyone who was anyone was reading Anthony Adverse, except for our narrator who keeps having to duck conversations about the book.

What I Plan to Read Next

lucymonster and troisoiseaux have convinced me to read some existentialists, so I’m starting with Jean-Paul Sartre’s Nausea because I figure that if I start with Camus, then Camus is where I will also end.

Comments

[sovay]

lucymonster and troisoiseaux have convinced me to read some existentialists, so I’m starting with Jean-Paul Sartre’s Nausea because I figure that if I start with Camus, then Camus is where I will also end.

Are you reading Lloyd Alexander's translation?

[osprey_archer]

I didn't realize Lloyd Alexander did translations! No, I'm reading the James Wood translation because that's what the library had.

[sovay]

I didn't realize Lloyd Alexander did translations! No, I'm reading the James Wood translation because that's what the library had.

Fair! Alexander was a translator before he was a novelist: he did the first English versions of Sartre in 1949 and was the designated translator of Paul Éluard around the same time. I have read the former but not the latter. I also keep meaning and have not yet managed to track down his adult novels.

I could dress in black and read Camus

[kore]

so I’m starting with Jean-Paul Sartre’s Nausea

....ohboy. I mean, I'm still kinda fond of Sartre and even I couldn't finish Nausea. I love Camus though!

Re: I could dress in black and read Camus

[osprey_archer]

We'll see how I do. Can always DNF if necessary.

[katherine]

Thanks to Project Gutenberg I just finished reading a novel from 1910 or thereabouts, The Rebellion of Margaret by Geraldine Mockler. I think you might like it!

Starts a bit slow, but once away from her grandfather Margaret changes places with a chance-met friend, a governess of her own age who is longing for the singing lessons intended for Margaret's "pretty little drawing-room voice".

[osprey_archer]

Thank you!

[blotthis]

LMAO, the existentialists... if you read plays, I'd honestly recommend No Exit over the novels, as No Exit at least has very fiery (lol) conflicts. Although now that I say that, I'm not sure I ever read any Sartre novels. Hm. In either case, I do quite like No Exit as a piece of theater, although I think it's better in performance, where the staging can grow increasingly unhinged. Great opportunities for changes in staging dynamics in that play.

[osprey_archer]

Perhaps someday zeater will do the existentialists! Or the local university theater although I'm not holding my breath.

[blotthis]

Ah, maybe! There aren't very many characters in No Exit, so it might not be a great fit, but it could be interesting! I personally think physical comedy is part of the theatrical appeal, but finding ways to adapt shows is always interesting.

I saw it when my undergrad put it on, so there's hope!!!

[conuly]

Were they still doing dowries in 1930s France?

I’m starting with Jean-Paul Sartre’s Nausea because I figure that if I start with Camus, then Camus is where I will also end

Well, Camus is responsible for the idiotic Great Replacement theory, so fuck him.

2 different Camus

[eileenlufkin]

Fuck Renaud Camus, Albert Camus joined the French resistance.

Re: 2 different Camus

[conuly]

Oh!