Gini > Recent Status Updates

At the theater for a presentation of Phedre, his second time several years apart. Musings about art, presentation, appreciation dissolves into admiring the occupants of the boxes. He glides from one to another and the reader trails along behind him. Or this reader does. Glad I decided to revisit this book.

Tough section to wade through, but not impossible. Full argument mode executed. He's satisfied that he has made the case. I'm pretty convinced, too. For whatever that's worth. It makes sense connecting the dots. More so than anything else I've read, at least.

There's enough in any one of the chapters of this book to keep me busy,p but this last one could rearrange my ideas of who Jesus was and what were his aims. The neat little phrases we learned in sunday school don't cover the topic at all. Prepare to have a brain cramp or two. Just the reading and study Wright has done for this is staggering. And it's still acessible and engaging. Onward!

Was society that complicated? It's like reading one of the high level tabloids. But have met Charlus now. Quite a character. The text keeps coming at the reader and the transitions so smooth you don't realize the focus has moved elsewhere. Also wonder if James Joyce and Proust knew each other? Probably from a distance at least.

At last, after much anguish our narrator moves on with his life as the sundial signals the forward movement of time. Gilberte is history, in simpler terms.

Still with this and enjoying it more and more. Slowly learning the pace. He's beginning to disenchant from Gilberte now - a flashback of his young teen romance as he's leaves Balbec as an older teen or early 20ish young man. Plenty more of book 2 to go.

Forgot to update this. A re-read from a while ago. Accessible to non academics, but not dumbed down. Explains what he wants to demonstrate, how he's going to do it, why and defines terms along the way. He also delves into views unlike his and explains his position in relation to them. For me, it's like listening to him teach directly. And it all makes sense. Just a pleasure to read.

Seems he is done with Balbec and Albertine now. The morning sun (or is it afternoon?) reveals something less wonderful than the previous days recorded splendors, and is likened to a gold wrapped mummy. The magic is gone. So how much of his memory is genuine? Or has he been imagining episodes to amuse himself. And why does he not hang out with the guys?

Enjoying this reading much more this time around. I've discovered this just isn't an adventure from his youth. It's a review and a weighing what happened along the way. Currently anyway. That may change, but for now...

Slow progress, but fitting for this book. Reading a person's inner thoughts and realizing what he's saying is what you know in some way is worth the time spent. We have a common bond. We have similar experiences. We are alike. And at the same time different.
As an aside, his poet form is unique and in some cases quite a feat. Or some it is for me.

He's visiting with Elstir now after several pages of acclimating to Balbec. Some interesting digressions into art. Apparently a couple of years have passed as his more mature desires drive much of the action now.

About half way through the first act. Beginning to find the rhythm and recognizing some of the word play. Lengthy instructions when the scene changes. At least for now. Enjoying it. See if the momentum can continue.
One other thought...how to the actors learn those pages of script? Just wondering. Guess it's their job.

Just finished Swann's Way. A rather abrupt finish of the Odette jealousy episode followed by a later time in Paris where we witness a similar repeat of the infatuation of another generation with not only with Odette but her daughter, too. That flashes forward to what could've been the end of the series. But wasn't.
Start next installment ie volume 2 soon to see where it picks up.

Wright is building a good case to support his position. Currently, the discussion has turned to what do we do to correct the problem he's identified.

Swann overthinks all the angles related to Odette. Is he still smitten? Or is it over? Wait! Earlier the reader knows he's married to her. So now it's we read it wasn't a blissful courtship. Good descriptions jealousy's way of acting.

A very interesting read to this point. Seems thorough and well documented. He's defending an idea that certain teachings of the Church have been skewed over time to a postion that he believes is incorrect. If he's correct in that assumption some things need to change. So far he's doing rather well.

On to Swann's story. He's smitten and Odette very cooperative currently. Interesting couple.

Already seeing lots I missed before. I think about person has to learn how to read this. At least, I have to anyway.

Just enjoying this a little at a time. Some work for me today, others another day. I suspect I could come back in six months and discover more from the ones I just gave a nod before. I do think maturity or stage of life will guide these.

This is so readable it took me a while to realize I was learning stuff and enjoying it.

Very readable. Blew through the first bit way too fast. Need to redo them and then go on.

At start of scene 4. First reading is great fun. Quick, sharp dialogue that comes at you from all different angles. Everything counts. Pay attention.

Lots of afterward collection. Not sure about the why of it. Seems like a retelling of previous story. Reads well, but like the rest very slow.

Not much progress page wise, but story wise it was quite engaging. Seems he crashed his sea plane on take-off. Bad scene, woke him up about life though. Tough learning event.

While this is a slow burn, it's continues to move forward at a steady pace. Similarities to real world abound and I think weren't coincidental. Even the small phrases that pop up in the text point the reader to an additional meaning. May reread the intro material to see if was believed to be intentional. Interesting character this Knecht.

About to wrap this one up. Lots of fun reading it. The last bit has to do with consciousness. Pretty interesting and new material for me. Also scary. Can you "mathify"( my word invention here) consciousness? Can they build a conscious invention then?

Enjoying another visit to this book. The steady quiet pace is soothing.

Probably to soon to tell, but I think he's had it with rhetoric of the powers that be. This so far could be the commentary in nearly every age from the beginning onward.

Starts great. He's the guy you saw in stage, but without his airplane. A good read so far.

Fascinating history presented that explores ideas and observations made from long ago up to the very recent. Reading how ideas became agreed upon facts reveals some of the ability on human reasoning, intuition, and just plain common sense. Or lack of it in some cases. This books stretches the reader, or does me anyway, and that's a good thing. Whether the reader agrees or not it's still good exercise.