Gini > Recent Status Updates

The first 100 pages or so are introduction. Very readable, but dense, very dense. The reader gets to meet some of the issues, names, context, background and more. Appreciate this for it's apparent thoroughness of the material available at the time of writing. I can begin to see how some ideas presented could gain traction and cause a stir in the scholarly world.

My plan was to read this through and then come back for the exercises. But, not the way to work with this book. Tried the first exercise and thought I'd missed the point entirely. Went on. And came back to it. Watch and wait. OK. Sure enough the author knew what he was saying. Now I'm on a different time table with this one. Worth it, too.

So far so good. Quite readable for the lay audience. Definitely some food for thought there. And a peek into the thoughts of the era, especially some of his asides.

Well, grandmother has died. The scene all around that event described the event and reactions thoroughly. Not very pleasant reading, but well done.

Just started this one. So far, gentle prose and some background to guide the reader into the practices. Bought this after listening to his devotionals on substack.

Wrong version but it's listed as having been read before so I'll use it again even if i can't read French. Wish I could sometimes and this is one of them.
Just getting the the gist of the storyline. Forbidden love, suicidal wife, confession to companion. Enough to carry the plot forward. And for me to read more.

Just finished a discussion about the significance of the Temple and Jesus actions toward the arrangement to convert money and sell sacrifice animals within the outer court. Quite thorough and well woven discussions. And quite readable. Agree or no, Wright can state his case thoroughly.

Listened to it and followed the print copy I had. Older version with Richard Burton reading the first voice part. Have to say that little town had an interesting population. Now I'm off to read it more slowly.

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.