I do love the layers in this book. Relationships within relationships, known and not know by the characters. Journals, poems, and books within journals. Then there is Gide himself, discussing what the character who perhaps represents himself is writing. Just a delight. I am trying not to worry too much about who each of the characters is related to. It's almost too much to keep track of.
I found the style and openness of the book quite shocking at first but am finding it fascinated now. I think the journal sections are masterly at helping the story unfold.
It’s been a startling read so far. I see a lot of Gide’s struggle of finding a place for himself reflected in his characters. Edouard writes in his journal, “ My desire to oblige people becomes more acute if there is a difficulty to be encountered, if a struggle has to be waged with convention, banality and custom” and truly when Gide writes about the married couple ( La Perouse and his wife) there is so much disdain. He says Madame de La Perouse has the appearance of a harpy - goodness !
I loved the line where Vincent says he’s enjoying the count so much more now that he’s not taking the count seriously. I thought Gide was creating a dramatic irony for us as a Laura bemoans her poverty and needs Edouard to bail her out, not knowing that Vincent has recovered his money. Instead we find out that Vincent had gone to Laura to offer her the money, but she refused it. The novel so far is playing out as a fun, high-class soap opera with serious and philosophical undertones.
I do love the layers in this book. Relationships within relationships, known and not know by the characters. Journals, poems, and books within journals. Then there is Gide himself, discussing what the character who perhaps represents himself is writing. Just a delight. I am trying not to worry too much about who each of the characters is related to. It's almost too much to keep track of.
I found the style and openness of the book quite shocking at first but am finding it fascinated now. I think the journal sections are masterly at helping the story unfold.
It’s been a startling read so far. I see a lot of Gide’s struggle of finding a place for himself reflected in his characters. Edouard writes in his journal, “ My desire to oblige people becomes more acute if there is a difficulty to be encountered, if a struggle has to be waged with convention, banality and custom” and truly when Gide writes about the married couple ( La Perouse and his wife) there is so much disdain. He says Madame de La Perouse has the appearance of a harpy - goodness !
I loved the line where Vincent says he’s enjoying the count so much more now that he’s not taking the count seriously. I thought Gide was creating a dramatic irony for us as a Laura bemoans her poverty and needs Edouard to bail her out, not knowing that Vincent has recovered his money. Instead we find out that Vincent had gone to Laura to offer her the money, but she refused it. The novel so far is playing out as a fun, high-class soap opera with serious and philosophical undertones.