Having read Exteriors by Annie Ernaux, translated by Tanya Leslie, I now understand more about the inspiration for Lauren Elkin’s book No. 91/92: A Diary of a Year on the Bus. Both books are journals that record observations of the city, in both cases Paris or its environs, throughout a year or series of years. They both prominently feature public transportation. They both contain some personal writing but focus mostly on the exterior world. Georges Perec’s book in this tradition (which I have not yet read)
One year and a few days later, as it happens, I am taking part in the inaugural meeting of a local book club and we are reading Exteriors, by Annie Ernaux. Enjoyed your review.
Very mixed reactions. More than half the group found a string disconnect with the author: why didn't she engaged with people especially those who seem to be in some kind of need; she seems conceited, utterly self-focused, sometimes cruel; I think for intended audience was her mother, the Alzheimer's sufferer; for the most part her observations feel cold; she observed life as it is and clearly the selections are curated as there are repeating themes these speak to our shared human condition; why she won the Nobel prize I'll never know; it's observational writing, think Jack Kerouac or like the observational drawing thing Frederick Franck.
The above are some of the reactions. The last one, mine.
I think it's too much to ask of the author to engage with all of the people or indeed even any of the people that she writes about having observed. Do we automatically reach out to every person that we see in a certain situation or that we think about? I know I don't. And we assume over much to think that from these curating writings get automatically means she didn't personally engage with others at other times. I have no idea but I do not deduce that from this writing.
Now, before this comment turns into a blog post I'll take my leave and give you rest.
Just picked up the same Murnane book for the same reasons! Enjoyed your post, as always.
One year and a few days later, as it happens, I am taking part in the inaugural meeting of a local book club and we are reading Exteriors, by Annie Ernaux. Enjoyed your review.
Very mixed reactions. More than half the group found a string disconnect with the author: why didn't she engaged with people especially those who seem to be in some kind of need; she seems conceited, utterly self-focused, sometimes cruel; I think for intended audience was her mother, the Alzheimer's sufferer; for the most part her observations feel cold; she observed life as it is and clearly the selections are curated as there are repeating themes these speak to our shared human condition; why she won the Nobel prize I'll never know; it's observational writing, think Jack Kerouac or like the observational drawing thing Frederick Franck.
The above are some of the reactions. The last one, mine.
I think it's too much to ask of the author to engage with all of the people or indeed even any of the people that she writes about having observed. Do we automatically reach out to every person that we see in a certain situation or that we think about? I know I don't. And we assume over much to think that from these curating writings get automatically means she didn't personally engage with others at other times. I have no idea but I do not deduce that from this writing.
Now, before this comment turns into a blog post I'll take my leave and give you rest.