I'm interested in reading more of Gracq's works. Balcony in the Forest had a profound impact on me. It felt like a wound you don't notice at first, but starts hurting when you lie down at night (and I say this in a good sense... ?)
That's similar to my experience. I would say that A Dark Stranger is even more dreamlike. Gerard (and Gracq's) obsessive study of Allan opens up several other veins of introspection all of which flow together to paint a really dark (but fascinating) image. I like the idea of it being an allegory for the coming WWII, but it doesn't need to be. It's just as compelling on its own. It troubles and obsesses and sticks like a splinter in the brain forcing you to consider things you don't normally consider. I think that's Julien Gracq's true talent.
If you like French literature, I recommend checking out Statuary Gardens by Jacques Abeille. It's not as psychological as Both Sides of the Mirror (seems to be), but it is similarly profound in its philosophical pondering and its prose.
Trying to label it, I'd say it's a fantasy exploration series.
That sounds very interesting, thank you for the recommendation! I only have two books by Gracq left to read (alas) so I was beginning to panic about what I'd read next.
You are single-handedly adding to my reading list lately. First, The Napoleon of Notting Hill, now, this. I'm really excited to give this book a try. I'm particularly interested in characters that seem to float loosely around traditional character formats. Whether or not this is the case for this book, I intend to find out soon.
Gracq doesn't seem to impose too many rules upon himself beyond well-formed plots and painstakingly intricate prose. He seems to like allegory but isn't bound by it. One thing I really enjoy about his books is that they work well on their own and also as possible allegories, which takes a lot of careful writing and a lot of restraint. If you do read it, do let me know if you like it!
(Apologies for the late reply! I only saw this comment today.)
I'm interested in reading more of Gracq's works. Balcony in the Forest had a profound impact on me. It felt like a wound you don't notice at first, but starts hurting when you lie down at night (and I say this in a good sense... ?)
Is A Dark Stranger as dreamlike as Balcony?
That's similar to my experience. I would say that A Dark Stranger is even more dreamlike. Gerard (and Gracq's) obsessive study of Allan opens up several other veins of introspection all of which flow together to paint a really dark (but fascinating) image. I like the idea of it being an allegory for the coming WWII, but it doesn't need to be. It's just as compelling on its own. It troubles and obsesses and sticks like a splinter in the brain forcing you to consider things you don't normally consider. I think that's Julien Gracq's true talent.
If you like French literature, I recommend checking out Statuary Gardens by Jacques Abeille. It's not as psychological as Both Sides of the Mirror (seems to be), but it is similarly profound in its philosophical pondering and its prose.
Trying to label it, I'd say it's a fantasy exploration series.
That sounds very interesting, thank you for the recommendation! I only have two books by Gracq left to read (alas) so I was beginning to panic about what I'd read next.
You are single-handedly adding to my reading list lately. First, The Napoleon of Notting Hill, now, this. I'm really excited to give this book a try. I'm particularly interested in characters that seem to float loosely around traditional character formats. Whether or not this is the case for this book, I intend to find out soon.
Gracq doesn't seem to impose too many rules upon himself beyond well-formed plots and painstakingly intricate prose. He seems to like allegory but isn't bound by it. One thing I really enjoy about his books is that they work well on their own and also as possible allegories, which takes a lot of careful writing and a lot of restraint. If you do read it, do let me know if you like it!
(Apologies for the late reply! I only saw this comment today.)
Never heard of the book or the author, but now I must read it.
I also highly recommend his A Balcony In the Forest. That's a really, really beautiful book, and a perfect introduction to Julien Gracq.
how do you find all these no longer in print books?
Ebay mainly. But I've also had luck at Biblio and Alibris.